What a crazy wedding!

In an effort to save money, I decided to bring hard boiled eggs to work instead of paying $4 for a tiny cup of watermelon and strawberries. Being me, running late, I just stuck an egg in each pocket of my coat and headed off to work. I put my coat where I normally do and worked my little heart out for, oh, an hour and a half or so when I remembered, "I have eggs!". Remembering where I had them however, my enthusiasm faded. You see, I usually sit on my coat at work. My eggs - flat. Cracked shell, squashed whites, pocket lint occupying the inner crevices of the yolk, regretful frown. $4 Strawberries and Watermellon, Please.

femmullehawk

Bruise, Booze, Books and.... teeth

Finally, after years of waiting, I have a tooth, there, between the front and the fang. Oh, how I have wanted you so badly and now you are here. Oral surgery is awful. Eating after oral surgery is awful. Having to take your teeth out to eat is more awful so I can bear the surgery and the eating.

Afterwards, I really needed some Goodwill time. I was hoping for some sweet art as Ana always finds but the pickins were slim. I did purchase some great books: The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Students, The Complete ROUND-THE-WORLD COOKBOOK: Recipes gathered by Pan American Airways staff from 81 countries they serve, Reasoning and Improving your Reasoning (uber textbooky), Trust Us, We're Experts!: How industry manipulates science and gambles with your future (authors of Toxic Sludge Is Good For You!), Capitalism for Beginners (more graphic novel than text book really), Looking at Philosophy: the unbearable heaviness of philosophy made lighter (has lots of entertaining drawings). I am certainly looking forward to curling up next to my fake fireplace and reading those.

Better than last week, for sure!

Best purchase EVER IN THE HISTORY OF GARAGES, originally uploaded by Little Tomato.

In May, Erin M. and I went garagesale-ing in the Winchell neighborhood. The merchandise was of the expected caliber and we toddled along at a merry pace. Then, from under a heap of crocheted pot holders and kissing dutch figurines, shined a glimmer of metallic band. It read "KitchenAid". (double-take) wha???? KitchenAid? Like in the best mixer ever KitchenAid? I scuttle to look for the price (thinking somewhat disappointedly "probably $100- 150")... The ragged torn masking tape read $10.00... WHAT?! Is it broken?! The tending woman said no and asked if I wanted it to which I replied "um.. Definitely!" She proceeded to pull out the original box with all attachments, complimentary cookbook, warrenty information and pamphets about ordering my very own personalized engraved mixing bowl. I handed her a fresh ten and marched (well struggled really, they are quite heavy!) triumphantly and disbelief-bourne to my car with the best Garage sale purchase ever in the history of Garages.
The End.

Well, not quite... The first thing I made with the mixer was salmon loaf (Delicious). However, the mixer is so proficient that instead of just mixing the ingredients, it pureed my Salmon and everyone at work thought I was eating catfood.

I visited my new doctor today. It was a pretty standard lets-get-to-know-eachother visit. He seems quite competent and asked me questions I couldn't answer (knowing more about my medical "characteristics" than I do is quite a feat, indeed.) and one that I inadvertently lied to answer (oops, he'll find the answer soon enough anyway I guess, not that it matters.) Then, as celestial retribution for said lie, he ordered a blood draw, right there on the spot. I hate blood draws. All's well in the end as I left with my B12 shot (aka liquid awesomeness) and peace of mind. Thank you Health Insurance, you are the best.

Any movie rental suggestions? Anyone?

The next day

This is my living room. Having space of my own is of paramount importance in my life. The most common root of anxieties I have felt over the last several years has been my lack of undivided personal space. For the first time ever, I have an apartment all to myself. I was apprehensive at first because moving to a new city and living alone seemed... lonely. And it is at times but the benefit on my psyche is profound. Not to mention my apartment is totally gorgeous.

When I finally got Internet several weeks ago, I had fun intentions of blogging several times a week... FAILED! Well, I will make a better effort as it dawned upon me this afternoon why I have such trouble sitting down and doing it. It is not for a lack of things to say... I have a constant running commentary putzing along between my ears all day long and even though none of those amazing and enlightening thoughts stick around when I actually sit down to type - that is not the reason. The reason turns out to be that I am intimidated by other's more eloquently written and witty blogs. Well, that's a lame reason if you ask me. Its time to stop hiding from the better, more challenging talents of others. So, Voile! The first step is discovery, Check. Now for the action.

Bisteeya
Most Delicious Moroccan Chicken Pie
(seriously, make it)
Whole Chicken (3lbs) cut up into atleast 4 parts
1 stick of butter
3 teaspoons ground Cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground Cumin
1 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground Turmeric
1/2 teaspoon Saffron Threads (soaked in 2 tablespoons warm water)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup Chicken Stock
4 eggs
1/2 cup Chopped Cilantro
3 Tablespoons Chopped Parsley
1/3 cup chopped almonds
3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 package of Filo (phyllo) dough (12oz)

1. In a small bowl, add 2t of the Cinnamon and all the other spices to the chicken stock and stir until mixed.
2. Melt 1/4 stick Butter in a large pot, add the chicken and the chicken stock/spices and let simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
3. Remove chicken from sauce and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, remove skin and bones. Shred the meat into thin strips.
4. Bring the liquid in the pot to a simmer and add eggs, stirring constantly. The mixture will get crumbly when its done. Add the Chicken, Cilantro and Coriander and season with Salt and Pepper. Remove from heat.
5. Crush the almonds into crumbles and mix with the remaining cinnamon and powdered sugar.
6. Melt the remaining butter in a bowl. On a round pizza sheet lay out one sheet of Filo dough. Brush with butter and apply another sheet of dough on top but at an angle, brush with butter. Keep laying the filo dough on top in a pinwheel pattern until there are 8 sheets or so layed down. The edges of the filo dough should hang off the edge of the pizza sheet. Pour the chicken mixture ontop of filo. Spread evenly, then sprinkle almond mixture on top. Fold the edges of the filo over the filling. Lay 8 sheets of filo on top in the same fashion as before with butter between each sheet. Tuck the edges under the bottom layers of Filo so the pie is a nice round parcel.
7. Bake at 350F for forty minutes and eat it because its delicious!

This is one of my favorite dishes. It takes a little time to make but its wonderful.