Archive for May, 2007
Written on May 8, 2007 by Jen at Semantically driven
Filed Under: Journal
In no particular order (only because I couldn’t decide what I’m most addicted to) here are my top five addictions as of late. I must say it was hard to stop at five and there is a distinct food theme.
1. Dark chocolate
Actually I like all chocolate but am trying to watch my weight so I’ve learned to love dark chocolate. It is an acquired taste as it’s not as sweet and creamy as milk chocolate but it is delicious nontheless. I am at the beginning of my foray into dark chocolate addiction so haven’t tried really expensive dark chocolate.
2. Quinces
Quinces are in season here and like many fruits there’s so much that can be done to them. I recently baked some for dessert and ate them with cream. Icecream is also a good accompaniment. A friend made quince jelly and quince paste which she shared with me. The quince paste is great on a cracker with some brie cheese. It’s a way to enjoy savoury and sweet foods together and it tastes so right.
3. Bourbon and coke
This is a drink I could have all the time. I like beer, wine and other spirits also, but there’s nothing like a bourbon and coke to me. Actually it’s the only way I will drink coke.
4. Heroes tv show
My latest addiction that started showing on television here a couple of months ago. I haven’t missed one episode yet. I could have borrowed the whole season’s dvds from a friend but wanted to savour having to wait until each Wednesday to get the next installment. One night I was expecting a phone call and had instructed them not to ring after 8.30. They rang twice on my landline and once on my mobile after 8.30 and I still wouldn’t speak to them. This is the only tv show I will not interrupt for anyone.
5. Beading
For a bit over a year now I’ve dabbled in making my own jewellrey using beads but it wasn’t until last week I went online and ordered heaps of beads from a shop to start a bigger project. I ordered online because it seemed much much cheaper than buying from my local bead shop. I love the satisfaction of creating a piece of jewellrey either for myself or to give to someone as a present. It’s a lot more economical to do this than to buy something ready made.
This post is for Problogger’s group writing project.
Written on May 7, 2007 by Jen at Semantically driven
Filed Under: Journal, Photos
I’m a Flickr Pro member and participated in the 24 Hours of Flickr day last Saturday 5 May. I took a whole bunch of photos and I’ve put the ones I wanted up on my account but I need to choose my favourite to post to the 24 Hours of Flickr group.
I can’t decide though and need help. Please have a look at my photos and leave a comment at your favourite one (you need to be a Flickr member though), or leave a comment here telling me which one you like best. I’ve got a couple of weeks to make my choice.
A book is being made of a selection of these photos so there’s a remote possibility my photo could be chosen.
Written on May 7, 2007 by Jen at Semantically driven
Filed Under: Journal
I can say without a doubt I’ve had a pretty shitful year so far. It started in mid January with my cousin dying in a car accident. Six weeks after that my dad had a stroke. During this time I’ve been going to a psychologist for JJ to work out strategies for his behaviour. It’s all been quite stressful and when I filled out my last sick leave form I looked back through them and realised I’d had three sickies in one month.
It doesn’t help that I was verbally attacked by a relative recently because I said no to a request for something. Grrrrrr! This was after I was ignored for nearly three weeks and after I instigated communication to talk about the lack thereof.
To top all this off I’m undecided what I want to do in my career. All I have is questions at the moment and every time I think of something I shoot it down. The job I have at the moment is pretty good in a lot of ways – hours, conditions, pay but it is somehow unsatisfying. I get frustrated at having to deal with the politics and the red tape and there’s nothing in my power to change that so I have to wear it or get out.
All this can get a person down and it bloody well has. I’m feeling sorry for me right now and feel a bit powerless to do anything about it.
If it wasn’t for my friends, some family members and my son I would be at the bottom of the abyss right now instead of teetering at the edge.
Do not despair, I’m sure I will get out of this funk.
Written on May 3, 2007 by Jen at Semantically driven
Filed Under: Journal
Finally, finally the Do Not Call Register is operative in Australia. If, like me, you are bothered by telemarketers who call you at the most inconvenient times, ie when you’re cooking dinner and trying to help your child with their writing, then this is for you.
It’s only landline and mobile numbers primarily for domestic use and can take up to 30 days to become effective but it’s got to be better than nothing. Registration can be done online, by phone and by post. I’ve just registered online and it was easy. They are experiencing high demand at the moment but it was nowhere near as slow as trying to book flights on Jetstar after an advertised special.
I’ve got an answering machine and rarely pickup the phone on a weekday evening until I’ve screened the call. Regular callers know I’m screening, but telemarketers hang up so all I hear is a hangup tone and I know I’ve just avoided a call I didn’t want. I’ll still screen, but hopefully there won’t be as many hangups. Screening calls is why I will never use the phone company’s voicemail service, which I have to pay extra for anyway.
Speaking of phone, I’ve recently hooked up Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) for my phone. I was on the phone last night (a whole blog post re that phone call) and the phone in my bedroom starting ringing. I think I’ve effectively got two phonelines into my house now.
Written on May 1, 2007 by Jen at Semantically driven
Filed Under: Food and Drink, Journal
When my dad had his stroke one of the things I decided to do was to enjoy and embrace life a bit more. One way, I thought, of doing that is staying connected with friends and family and one way of doing that is by having them around for dinner.
So, in the last three weeks I’ve had three dinner parties. Normally dinner parties stress me out, but now I know I can do three in a four week period, my confidence has increased dramatically.
Two of these dinner parties were held during the last week. Therefore I’ve done heaps of cooking in the last week and when I have the time it is something I really enjoy.
It is somewhat stressful inviting people around for dinner. I’m the only host so I have to do everything from making the house presentable, to the cooking and then to be a vivacious hostess on the evening. I had too many people at the first one so I didn’t know who to talk to. I think I sat there for most of it just sighing, and dithering about what to do next. The food was damn good though.
The last two I had I was a bit more comfortable, probably because I’m more familiar with the guests that came.
Let me fill you in on what I fed my guests with for the last two dinner parties. I’m particularly pleased with myself because I even did dessert on both occasions. This usually falls through the cracks and the small dinner party circuit I move around in, it isn’t expected.
The first dinner party last Wednesday I made moussaka for mains accompanied by a green salad. For dessert I made a pavlova. Both these dishes can be prepared in advance so as much socialising as possible can be done at the actual dinner party.
On Saturday night I made a tuna-cottage cheese dip for a pre-dinner snack as my guests arrived late afternoon. For dinner I cooked an asparagus/bacon/mushroom risotto and for dessert we had lovely baked quinces.
I found a recipe online that said to bake the quinces slowly for 6-8 hours. As I put it in the oven at 3pm I realised we would not be waiting until 9pm until we ate it so after a while I cranked up the heat. I can’t believe I’ve never eaten these before. With icecream or cream they were just so delicious and I can’t wait to cook them again. Next time I’ll adapt the recipe to use less sugar, and to use a shorter cooking time with a higher oven temperature.
I’m going to take a short rest from hosting dinner parties but it is fun because I can indulge in what I like without having to drive home. And the other great thing is that JJ can be put to bed whenever, and I don’t have to move him.
