Why I'll miss the Euroloft

Lentil Soup for the Soul

This year I have developed an obsession.  And no, it's not my semi-regular reliance on Alka Seltzer Nighttime Cold, it's my obsession with lentil soup.  I probably eat it twice a week at work, the low-fat Progresso variety, and since these are hard times we live in, at $2.39 a pop (hello, inflated Harris Teeter prices!) I figured I could make it for cheaper than 5 bucks.  And guess what?  Homemade is better.  

In case you're interested:

2.5 cups lentils (soaked overnight, or at least 5 hours)

1 can chicken broth (or veggie, to please your veggie friends)

3 cups water

1 carrot, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped

1 cup shredded baby spinach

2 tsp balsamic vinegar 

1 tsp basil

1 tsp oregano

salt & pepper

dash of hot sauce

Saute all veggies (minus spinach) for 5 mins.  Add lentils, liquids, seasonings and cover.  Bring to boil and lower to simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.  Use food processor (or in my case my mother's gift for my tonsillectomy this time last year, Magic Bullet) to blend 3-4 cups of soup to thicken.  Add balsamic vinegar and spinach, simmer until spinach wilts.  Serve with shredded parmesan on top.

Delish!  I know a boy who will get home from work at 9:00 tonight who will have a hot bowl of lentil soup waiting for him.

Hisss

I've only ever liked maybe 4 cats in my whole life and this could be another reason why.  This was taken from inside our apartment with every window closed.  I present to you, my neighbors cats.  The LOUDest cats in all the world.

P.S. One of my past roomies might recognize a familiar "Boo!" from a certain dingo in the background 2/3 of the way through. :)

As seen on TV

We stopped by J's parents' house tonight to pick up the recipe we're responsible for making for Turkey Day, and J's mama unleashed on us a stack of Bed, Bath & Beyond 20% off coupons she's been holding on to (by the way, it doesn't matter if they're expired...you can use as many coupons as you have items...we saved a ton of money!).  With a few random items on our list of things we need, we headed over to BB&B (J was quite disappointed with the Beyond section) for some frames, Kinoki pads for J's ma to try, a humidifier, and a refill of k-cups for our Keurig coffee machine.

When we walked inside, the first impulse display was for PediPaws...a product I've been curious about for months now.  We decided to go for it.  So we're going to host our own "Does it Work?" segment like they have on the evening news to test out TV products.  Tonight, the dogs were introduced to it with treats and praise.  Tomorrow, they get filed!  Stay tuned for product reviews.

Coming to an inbox near you

Perhaps I've been watching too much It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but I thought there was no better way to alert my non-blog-reading friends and fam where and when we're moving.

P.S. Don't worry, it's only a digital chin-length bob.

Sevensies

So since I have nothing of any interest to write about, I will grant Laura's wish/command and write 7 totally random things about myself.  This isn't too hard for me...want to know why?  I'm a list gal.  Now, Laura asked me, Oh Beehive, LEMonade, and Va va va Bloom to take on said task of 7 randoms, so I now pass this task on to three lovely and interesting ladies, on a night when you don't feel like writing anything else:  Cassie, Emily, and Alexe'.  Do it!

1.  I listened to "Reason to Love You" by Meiko today about, hmmm, 43 times.  I have totally been digging her lately, and recommend her to any of my friends who might be checking out another Ingrid Michaelson concert this weekend. :)

2.  I have a picture of a fountain near where I lived in Germany hung in my bedroom.  I decided to put it up in my room after having recurring dreams about that fountain for about 2 years.  Since I've hung it on my wall I haven't had the dream.  I think it's because I've realized that yes, I will in fact go back some day.  I consider it a place my soul longs for.

3.  I call my dog Leo by the nickname "Bubs" or "Mr. Bubs" more than I call him by his real name.  I can't remember where it came from or why I started calling him that.  Yes, he answers to it. 

4.  Some things I find unforgivable: slowing down in front of me in the Midtown Tunnel so much so that I have to downshift, telling me to "SMILE!" first thing in the morning (that means you, Mister Security Guard Badge-Checker at work), and using tissues as napkins.  That's not what they're for.  Go ahead, try and hand me a cookie on a tissue.  I won't take it--that's a promise.

5.  I talk to my mom every day, sometimes twice.  My dad is harder to get ahold of but we spoke 3 different times on Veteran's Day.  I used to think that was weird when people would say that, but then I realized I'm one of the lucky ones who wants to speak with her parents as much as possible.

6.  I make up songs to sing to the dogs.  Last night I sang Mary one I called, "Black face, soft ears."  It was about her.  She loved it.  Tonight, the little boys (that's what I call the baby fish...is that weird?) got a song but they were much less appreciative.

7.  Since I've moved out on my own, I've been much more aware of karma.  I try to be a good person, and for the most part, I like to think I am.  However, tonight, I was walking into the grocery store and I stopped to let a dad pass me with his two little daughters.  I smiled, they smiled.  But then a mean huffy-puffy-in-a-hurry girl shoved up behind me and walked around me, cutting the dad/daughter trio off, thus negating the pausing I was doing to let them pass.  I tried to keep it in, but I felt the words coming up.  They were my sister's words.  "You're EXCUSED!" I said to her, and she turned and looked at me.  I was mortified.  Wonder how I'll pay for that one. 

Describing his future wedding band

"I want mine with a clock on the underneath side.  With vertical stripes on top.  And a diamond in the middle -- but inlaid.  But don't forget the clock...digital, set to military time.