This talk of Dry White Greek wines brings back fond memories of Aegina.
*sigh*
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This talk of Dry White Greek wines brings back fond memories of Aegina.
*sigh*
Hate it when I plan for something from 2:30-4:30 on Saturday, then get an email this morning casually like, "We've scheduled another session earlier in the day." Well I actually can't make that. Why not stick to the schedule we already talked about?
It depends on the dish; some recipes really call for the addition of that little something, whereas others don't require it.
Moreover, cooking usually burns off the alcohol, but there are some dishes for which the addition of some alcohol adds a wonderful, rich, extra dimension of taste to the final dish.
I don’t think we eat any dishes like that. Tuna, pasta, broccoli and cauliflower tonight. Will go wash up shortly.
To be honest, I don't eat them all that often myself; however, on occasion alcohol works very well in food, (and not just when added to those casseroles from France or Belgium that feature wine or beer as a major, core, ingredient), a small glass - or, half glass - of wine, will add something special to a dish.
I’m sure. But not in this house. We don’t have any alcohol in the house at all. I only drink when I’m out and that is mostly when out on business more likely these days.
Fair enough.
While I like (indeed, at times, even love) good food and fine dining, I will also say that cooking, and food prep can also serve as a very welcome distraction from more pressing, current concerns.
With Mrs AFB wrists still playing her up, I’m doing a lot more food prep than usual. I’m concerned how she’ll get on when I’m away next week.
I wasn't gloating--or intending to--above.
Definitely.
Of course, regardless of what one does with major decisions, there are upsides and downsides...
Looking back on my childhood, I don't think my mother had much interest in cooking. It was just something that she had to do. But when my father had a midlife crisis, and the family fell apart, there were spells she had more interest. I have wondered if there were times when she suddenly did welcome the distraction.
To be perfectly candid, cooking isn't much fun when you have to do it on a permanent daily basis, and I can imagine that many women - mothers, above all - can be bored to tears with what may seem like the endless drudgery associated with preparing meals for your family; food as fuel, rushed eating, especially if the recipients are entitled rather than thankful, will all ensure that the occasion of family meals are anything but pleasant.
However, taking the time to savour (and be grateful for) a meal, to connect and chat over a meal, a world of no TV or phones at the dinner table, can all help to ensure that the experience of sharing a repast remains one of the most pleasant experiences that it is possible to have.
Mostly my Dad cooked week days as he started work early and was back home earlier than Mum who worked 9-5. Often though my Dad had a second job in the afternoon so we would just cook for ourselves from about 12 or 13. Not many family meals that you describe above in our house growing up.
My favorite of these being beef bourguignon. When I make this, an entire bottle of Cote du Rhone goes in.
It is truly amazing what a quality wine & time will do to a braised beef chuck roast.
and I love to cook. I have since I was a kid watching my grandmas throw down big spreads on holidays. The limitations of family ie: kid pallets can be boring culinarily speaking sometimes but they grow up, pallets mature & tastes expand. One thing is certain, cooking good food brings everyone together to the table.
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Amen to that.
I am quite partial to a good Coq au Vin, or Coq au Riesling, as well.
Mouth-watering.
These days, I would prepare that dish with shin of beef on the bone, to which a bottle of good French red wine is added.....and then, it is simply a matter of applying heat and time; a low heat (either in the oven or, on the stove top) and many, many hours, to allow the flavours to mix, meld, marry......
Absolutely. I bet the high amount of exposed marrow takes an already rich and decadent sauce to a new level. I’ll have to grab some beef shank & give this a go. That is not a common cut where I’m at so likely will need to make a trip to my local butcher.
If this means you get to buy a new Mac mini for you, then this is the right way to do things.
As I'm just weeks away from starting my third year of undergrad, I'm considering music teaching as a potential career path. I really loved the work I did this summer, and I think the students liked me. However, as I come from a non-traditional background (jazz, pop, rock and roll), and am in a non-traditional degree program, I'm finding it incredibly difficult to get answers as to how I'd obtain licensure. I've talked to what feels like an endless number of people (faculty at my institution, faculty at my former high school, state education departments in at least three different states) and I cannot get a solid answer. It's always super vague. I need to sit down with someone for an hour and look at each and every standard and see how I could fulfill it. Unfortunately, I haven't found that person yet.
I find it extremely ironic and very frustrating how A) I've been a professional musician for over a decade playing with tip-top musicians, B) I've toured the Southwest (NM, CO, AZ, and CA) twice, C) I can actually play classical music despite not having a ton of experience, and D) how despite all of this, it is SO, SO, SO difficult to get licensed. I'm not saying it's impossible. It's just so hard it seems out of reach for me.
I looked at the preparation guide for the music teacher test in Wisconsin, and it made me feel really stupid. Probably the stupidest I've felt about my own ability/career in a VERY long time. I couldn't answer a single question.
EDIT: It's been suggested to me a number of times that I just switch my degree program to Music Ed. But I'm too far into my current one for that to be at all feasible. Also, Music Ed requires students to be classical musicians, and that's not who I am. I am a musician. Not a jazz musician, not a rock musician, a musician.
I find it extremely ironic and very frustrating how A) I've been a professional musician for over a decade playing with tip-top musicians, B) I've toured the Southwest (NM, CO, AZ, and CA) twice, C) I can actually play classical music despite not having a ton of experience, and D) how despite all of this, it is SO, SO, SO difficult to get licensed. I'm not saying it's impossible. It's just so hard it seems out of reach for me.
I looked at the preparation guide for the music teacher test in Wisconsin, and it made me feel really stupid. Probably the stupidest I've felt about my own ability/career in a VERY long time. I couldn't answer a single question.
EDIT: It's been suggested to me a number of times that I just switch my degree program to Music Ed. But I'm too far into my current one for that to be at all feasible. Also, Music Ed requires students to be classical musicians, and that's not who I am. I am a musician. Not a jazz musician, not a rock musician, a musician.
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Had a great gig tonight at the brewery with the regular quartet--tenor sax, drums, bass, and piano. Always love playing with those guys, hope to do it at least a couple more times before I head back to college.
Rather than switching your current degree program midstream, would it be possible to take a post-graduate course specifically focusing on the certification requirements? Yes, it would mean more schooling and putting off full-time employment a bit longer, but that might be one avenue to doing whatever is needed in order to fulfill those certification requirements..... ?
Also, you might want to check into what is required at various private schools as opposed to public school systems. I think a lot of private schools are not quite as fussy about some degree or certification requirements, and that might work to your advantage.
It might be possible, I think it probably depends on the state. Minnesota, for instance, ONLY offers a portfolio as an alternative pathway. I think other states might have some sort of post-graduate thing, though.
That's true about private schools, and certainly something to look further into.
Here's my honey list:
"Hooooooney, can you ..."
Inside:
Prep and paint upstairs.
Clean carpet upstairs.
Paint kid induced wall wear spots and ceiling+ entry in the middle floor (a 1970s tri-level house).
Patch & paint 3 little hook holes from an installed stuffy net in the kids room.
tap back into place and glue a floating "wood" floor piece in the kitchen.
Oil the wood counter tops.
Finish some kitchen remodel backsplash trim tile installation in the kitchen.
Resecure the loose cabinet door..
Outside:
Finish painting the deck railing flat black.
Cut some dead parts off a big old Russian olive tree & process into fire pit wood.
Mow the back yard.
Patch my sons front bike tire and my own (we must've run over something sharp LOL)
Things I've finished so far:
Installed new wall mounted control for upstairs swamp cooling unit.
80% of the prep part of painting upstairs.
Fixed my son's iPad.
It never ends but that is ok.
Ok - stupid truck is in the shop again LOL - was on the way to the dump with a truck load of dead wood and other refuse when it quit on me. That ate up about 3 hours of my day + I don't have a way to get around for things if needed (ie: like getting my carpet cleaner from my folks place which was being borrowed LOL). Anyhow, that has slowed my attack on the honey list somewhat. what has gotten done so far I have crossed out and what I hope to get done today is in orange:
.
.
.
Inside:
Clean carpet upstairs.
Paint kid induced wall wear spots and ceiling+ entry in the middle floor (a 1970s tri-level house).
Patch & paint 3 little hook holes from an installed stuffy net in the kids room.
tap back into place and glue a floating "wood" floor piece in the kitchen.
Oil the wood counter tops.
Finish some kitchen remodel backsplash trim tile installation in the kitchen.
Re-secure the loose cabinet door.
Outside:
Finish painting the deck railing flat black.
Mow the back yard.
Patch my sons front bike tire and my own (we must've run over something sharp LOL)
.
.
.
We'll see what how today pans out. I should have everything I need in the garage to get those to-dos done.