Ok, it's less than 24 hours until my vacation starts.
I'm going to actually have my very first extended vacation in over 10 years... well, more like 7 but I'm not counting the time your Grandpa Don and I went to Ft Lauderdale to see the King Tut exhibit. What was going to be a great time got ruined the last night there.
I'm sure I blogged about it previously, you'll have to look it up.
The suite I've booked has a garden Jacuzzi tub, which means for the first time in forever, I'll be able to soak in a tub.
And scratch an item off my bucket list - actually riding a horse.
I'll have pictures, don't worry. You can see how ridiculous I look - but I don't care.
I'll be on a real, honest to Goddess, staying at a resort, VACATION!
(if you can't tell, this is a big thing for me)
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Doctor's orders
Well, went in for my annual checkup, and everything is fine...except for one little thing.
Dr. Springer and I were talking and work came up. I happened to mention that I'd set the departmental record for most overtime in a two week period (48 hours) and he asked what I was planning for a vacation.
I mentioned that I wasn't really a vacation type person, and the crux of the discussion became that I was *going* to take a real vacation this year, no arguments from me.
Well, that got me thinking about what I would like to do - beach? mountains? city?
Given that this discussion took place in January, going to KC was off the table. Grandpa Merlin doesn't do snow. (I know, Grandpa Don & Uncle Ian were just there...but they don't mind snow)
And as I began listing choices, I got to thinking about whether or not I wanted "all inclusive" or "ala carte" so to speak.
I checked out cruises, I checked out various resorts, I checked out vacation packages - nothing really seemed to fit, or there were potentially too many "extra charges" involved (as in the case of a cruise), not to mention the entire passport issue.
Then I had an idea, and checked out dude ranches in Georgia.
I came across one called Southern Cross, located in Madison, Georgia ... only an hour away.
They offered a variety of packages, however the one that most interested me was their "all inclusive" - offering not only meals, but two riding sessions daily for the extent of the stay.
So, next week, I'm spending a week (ok, 4 nights) at a dude ranch.
A bit of a background on my equine history - I've only been on a horse 2.5 times in my life - once as a child on a led pony ride, once at a carnival on a fixed pony ride, and the last time when I was 17 and in San Diego.
That was the half - that ride lasted only as long as it took for the horse to realize I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, and he didn't want to be ridden. The horse won.
So that's what's going on. More later
And Happy Birthday Andrea!
Dr. Springer and I were talking and work came up. I happened to mention that I'd set the departmental record for most overtime in a two week period (48 hours) and he asked what I was planning for a vacation.
I mentioned that I wasn't really a vacation type person, and the crux of the discussion became that I was *going* to take a real vacation this year, no arguments from me.
Well, that got me thinking about what I would like to do - beach? mountains? city?
Given that this discussion took place in January, going to KC was off the table. Grandpa Merlin doesn't do snow. (I know, Grandpa Don & Uncle Ian were just there...but they don't mind snow)
And as I began listing choices, I got to thinking about whether or not I wanted "all inclusive" or "ala carte" so to speak.
I checked out cruises, I checked out various resorts, I checked out vacation packages - nothing really seemed to fit, or there were potentially too many "extra charges" involved (as in the case of a cruise), not to mention the entire passport issue.
Then I had an idea, and checked out dude ranches in Georgia.
I came across one called Southern Cross, located in Madison, Georgia ... only an hour away.
They offered a variety of packages, however the one that most interested me was their "all inclusive" - offering not only meals, but two riding sessions daily for the extent of the stay.
So, next week, I'm spending a week (ok, 4 nights) at a dude ranch.
A bit of a background on my equine history - I've only been on a horse 2.5 times in my life - once as a child on a led pony ride, once at a carnival on a fixed pony ride, and the last time when I was 17 and in San Diego.
That was the half - that ride lasted only as long as it took for the horse to realize I had absolutely no clue what I was doing, and he didn't want to be ridden. The horse won.
So that's what's going on. More later
And Happy Birthday Andrea!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Shakira's big reprieve
Took Shakira in today for his neuter, and discovered that there may be an issue.
For starters, he hasn't "dropped" yet. Not such a big thing, he's still a kitten.
Although the vet did mention that he only felt one testicle, meaning the other literally, hasn't dropped into the scrotum yet.
At this point, not a big deal. He's scheduled now to go back in a month, at which time I'm hoping that nature has taken its course, and everything is where it's supposed to be.
However, if it hasn't, then what would be a relatively minor surgical procedure becomes complicated because an undescended testicle means additional surgery.
Anyway, he got a reprieve.
For starters, he hasn't "dropped" yet. Not such a big thing, he's still a kitten.
Although the vet did mention that he only felt one testicle, meaning the other literally, hasn't dropped into the scrotum yet.
At this point, not a big deal. He's scheduled now to go back in a month, at which time I'm hoping that nature has taken its course, and everything is where it's supposed to be.
However, if it hasn't, then what would be a relatively minor surgical procedure becomes complicated because an undescended testicle means additional surgery.
Anyway, he got a reprieve.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Shakira's big day
Shakira's big day has arrived...well, actually will arrive tomorrow.
He's going in tomorrow for his neuter. More on that after the surgery.
He's scheduled to stay overnight, thankfully he's current on all shots.
He's going in tomorrow for his neuter. More on that after the surgery.
He's scheduled to stay overnight, thankfully he's current on all shots.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Results - not a pretty picture but they taste okay
OK, both of the cheesecakes have had time to cool and set, and I've tasted both.
Now to analyze what happened.
The watermelon cheesecakes over cooked for one, and the white chocolate managed to separate and melt into the cupcake liner.
Note to self, monitor cooking time better. Also, ginger snaps not a good idea for crusts.
The creamsicle are too heavily orange, in flavor and color. Better control on the pastry bag should cover one issue, the flavoring issue should work itself out in larger batches.
Now I have to create a new batch for the holiday dinner at work - I think I'm going to go back to my basics, except that I'm using a shortbread for the crusts this time. I don't foresee doing more than 24 this time, which means basically a half batch.
A little less muss and fuss, but it also means just one batch in the oven instead of multiples.
Yay.
Now to analyze what happened.
The watermelon cheesecakes over cooked for one, and the white chocolate managed to separate and melt into the cupcake liner.
Note to self, monitor cooking time better. Also, ginger snaps not a good idea for crusts.
The creamsicle are too heavily orange, in flavor and color. Better control on the pastry bag should cover one issue, the flavoring issue should work itself out in larger batches.
Now I have to create a new batch for the holiday dinner at work - I think I'm going to go back to my basics, except that I'm using a shortbread for the crusts this time. I don't foresee doing more than 24 this time, which means basically a half batch.
A little less muss and fuss, but it also means just one batch in the oven instead of multiples.
Yay.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Rainy Monday Cheesecake Experiment
So I've been kicking a couple of cheesecake concepts around in my head for a couple of weeks now.
Watermelon white chocolate chip and orange creamsicle.
This was only because I came across some old flavorings I bought a couple of years ago - but it did get me to thinking about cheesecake variations.
So, I'm whipping up experimental batches today.
By that, I mean that I'm doing a limited run of these to determine if the recipe is valid.
I plan to dye the batter red/pink for the watermelon, and orange for the creamsicle.
Since I'm doing the Paula Deen adaptation, (i.e. mini cheesecakes) instead of a full spring-form pan version, I'll have results in under an hour.
For posterity's sake, here's my basic 1/4 batch recipe:
1 brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
vanilla extract
1/4 - 1/3 cup sour cream or
1 tbs whipping cream
Cream all ingredients together until they become a batter.
At this point, for the watermelon, I plan to add the flavoring and the food dye, mixing until incorporated and I'm satisfied. Then fold in the white chocolate chips, portion into already prepared muffin tin, bake at 350 until set and voila.
For the creamsicle, I'll split the batter and add flavoring and dye to one half and massively up the vanilla for the plain part.
Prepped muffin tins will get a layer of the "plain" batter then the orange batter, swirl with a butter knife, again baking at 350 until set and voila.
Conceptually, I'm putting lemon crisps instead of vanilla wafers in the creamsicle, and debating gingersnaps vs vanilla wafers in the watermelon.
I like the idea of the ginger and watermelon and white chocolate together.
Okay, I have the creamsicle flavor in the oven even as I type.
Short break to clean up and get ready for the big experiment, watermelon cheesecake.
Discovered that the Orange extract may not be the way to go for the creamsicle, only baking will tell conclusively though.
Also for the crusts I went with a mini vanilla wafer on top of a lemon crisp.
So now for the watermelon, I plan on dyeing the batter pink/red and the white chocolate chips will represent the seeds. Thought about dark chocolate, but think better match with white.
I'm going with the ginger snap crust on the watermelon. I think it'll meld well.
The creamsicles are out of the oven and the watermelon are in.
They'll be ready for taste testing in about an hour.
Unexpected issues with the extract though. It didn't want to combine with the batter.
Well, got that problem solved by kicking up the mixer a few notches.
Tasted okay as a batter, but again, the proof is in the baking.
Halfway point.
A little more rise than I'd expected, however that may be due to the amount of whipping I did to get the extract incorporated.
Wait and see.
Okay, they're out of the oven now.
Smell fantastic. However, they have to set and cool.
More after taste test.
Watermelon white chocolate chip and orange creamsicle.
This was only because I came across some old flavorings I bought a couple of years ago - but it did get me to thinking about cheesecake variations.
So, I'm whipping up experimental batches today.
By that, I mean that I'm doing a limited run of these to determine if the recipe is valid.
I plan to dye the batter red/pink for the watermelon, and orange for the creamsicle.
Since I'm doing the Paula Deen adaptation, (i.e. mini cheesecakes) instead of a full spring-form pan version, I'll have results in under an hour.
For posterity's sake, here's my basic 1/4 batch recipe:
1 brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 - 1/3 cup sugar
vanilla extract
1/4 - 1/3 cup sour cream or
1 tbs whipping cream
Cream all ingredients together until they become a batter.
At this point, for the watermelon, I plan to add the flavoring and the food dye, mixing until incorporated and I'm satisfied. Then fold in the white chocolate chips, portion into already prepared muffin tin, bake at 350 until set and voila.
For the creamsicle, I'll split the batter and add flavoring and dye to one half and massively up the vanilla for the plain part.
Prepped muffin tins will get a layer of the "plain" batter then the orange batter, swirl with a butter knife, again baking at 350 until set and voila.
Conceptually, I'm putting lemon crisps instead of vanilla wafers in the creamsicle, and debating gingersnaps vs vanilla wafers in the watermelon.
I like the idea of the ginger and watermelon and white chocolate together.
Okay, I have the creamsicle flavor in the oven even as I type.
Short break to clean up and get ready for the big experiment, watermelon cheesecake.
Discovered that the Orange extract may not be the way to go for the creamsicle, only baking will tell conclusively though.
Also for the crusts I went with a mini vanilla wafer on top of a lemon crisp.
So now for the watermelon, I plan on dyeing the batter pink/red and the white chocolate chips will represent the seeds. Thought about dark chocolate, but think better match with white.
I'm going with the ginger snap crust on the watermelon. I think it'll meld well.
The creamsicles are out of the oven and the watermelon are in.
They'll be ready for taste testing in about an hour.
Unexpected issues with the extract though. It didn't want to combine with the batter.
Well, got that problem solved by kicking up the mixer a few notches.
Tasted okay as a batter, but again, the proof is in the baking.
Halfway point.
A little more rise than I'd expected, however that may be due to the amount of whipping I did to get the extract incorporated.
Wait and see.
Okay, they're out of the oven now.
Smell fantastic. However, they have to set and cool.
More after taste test.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Name change
OK, I've given this a lot of thought, and I've decided what the former Shakira will be called.
Shakir, Ah! (And the comma and exclamation point are part of his name.)
Because for one, that's the name he's been called for 4 months. And if I slip and call him Shakira, no biggie.
And two, it's a pun. Because suddenly, he's Shakir, Ah! ...
On the bright side, neutering is cheaper than a spay. And less recovery time and dangers from the anesthesia.
Shakir, Ah! (And the comma and exclamation point are part of his name.)
Because for one, that's the name he's been called for 4 months. And if I slip and call him Shakira, no biggie.
And two, it's a pun. Because suddenly, he's Shakir, Ah! ...
On the bright side, neutering is cheaper than a spay. And less recovery time and dangers from the anesthesia.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
