Holy Guacamole!

For Cinco de Mayo I went to a Greek bar with my friend Rachael.  Last year we met up at an Irish Pub.  It's our tradition.  I'll have to think about where we'll go next year.

So while we didn't get into the spirit of Cinco De Mayo, everyone else around me seemed to.  So much so, that by yesterday afternoon I had a serious hankering for a taco and guac.  I was thinking about stopping at Chipotle on the way home but then remembered that I am trying to save moola.  I also remembered that in my freezer I had...

Fishless fish! 

All thanks to my coupon-clipping last week.  So I picked up some wine and tortillas and skedaddled home to attempt cooking fishless fish tacos with guacamole.  And do you know what?

They didn't turn out half bad!  Bobaloo even said that he enjoyed them.  So, I consider my twice-a-year-cooking-adventure a success.

¡Buen Trabajo Jillito!

July 16

I have never eaten a Twinkie.

What is one thing that you have never done that you think most people have?

 

July Challenge

July 9

I was hanging out at Coffee Lady's blog and found out about a July challenge going on (details here) and have decided to give it a whirl.  Shake things up a little around here.  There probably won't be posts everyday because if it's anything like the last challenge, I sort of peter out at the end.

So here we go.  Today's topic is...

What is your food philosophy?

I have a much more complicated relationship with food than I care to admit.  But like everything else, I am working on it.  As far as a philosophy goes?

In a nutshell,

smother it in cheese and slather on some ketchup.

 

July Challenge

Come back Hugh!

One of my favorite comic strips Crimes Against Hugh's Manatees is going on hiatus and now I feel a void in my morning.  That might be a little dramatic, but you should still go over there and check out the archives.  I can always find something that gives me a good chuckle.  Here are a few of my favorites.

 

 

What is your favorite comic?

Weekend

In the summer my work slows down and offers a different schedule which means 3-day weekends for me for the next couple of months.  Awesome!

 

Friday

The weekend kicked off with happy hour and boy, did I get happy.  We've met some awesome people at one of the local watering holes, one of whom reads this blog.

 

 

He is holding an RTD EcoPass for the bus.  The slogan on it is, "Get it.  Tap it.  Love it." because the marketing department is apparently run by a frat boy.  High five Eric and I am glad your Blackhawks won.

 

Saturday

Bobaloo and I kicked it at home on Saturday just hanging out in the yard and enjoying the beautiful weather.  Our neighbor invited me over to feed his chickens again which was awesome.  Bobaloo has been sprucing up the backyard so now we have a cool little hangout area back there.

 

 

Sunday

Sunday was another mellow day, we woke up and went out for breakfast.  We lucked out being heathens and all because there was no wait to be seated.

 

Later in the afternoon, we walked over to our buddy Aaron's house for a delightful Sunday barbecue that included corn on the cob and watermelon.

 

Monday

I didn't realize that my 3-day schedule started yesterday so I went to work for 45 minutes before heading home.  Bobaloo and I took the train into Denver and went out to lunch at the Tilted Kilt where I enjoyed watching a monster truck show on TV in air conditioning.  The evening was capped off with a few episodes of The League.

 

 

A good time was had.

 

 

Midweek Shuffle

I was over at Coffee Lady's blog this morning and her post got me thinking about the days of the week.

I have worked a lot of customer service jobs.  A lot.

My first full-time job was being a cashier in an office lunchroom (lunch lady!).  I got to see my friend Adam everyday because he was a security guard at the front desk.  After a while we noticed all of the workers would have the same responses to the dreaded yet expected question, "how are you?"

Here are the responses:

Monday  "Ugh.  It's Monday." or "Pretty good for a Monday, I guess."

Tuesday  ...

Wednesday  "It's hump day!" or "We're halfway through the week!"

Thursday  "Well, tomorrow's Friday!"

Friday  "It's Friday!  The weekend's almost here!"

Day after day.  Week after week.  Person after person.

The only day nothing was said was Tuesday.  So when we'd see each other on Tuesday mornings we'd look at each other and say "It's Tuesday" and crack up.

Adam, his wife, and I would go to Denny's every Tuesday as a celebration of sorts.

Now I am hungry for a Moons Over My Hammy.

 

Friday

Friday was a fun night, Bobaloo and I headed out to see his friend's band play at the Buffalo Rose.  Goofs and drinks were had!  I stayed up too late but found a Patty Duke rerun on TV when I got home which was pretty awesome.

 

 

Saturday

Saturday was a mellow day, I volunteered doing nails in the morning and Bobaloo and I kicked it at home for the rest of the day.  After a good deal of fussing and fighting with it, the badminton net was put up.  Bobaloo grilled kabobs, we had some beer (Shandy!), listened to tunes, played badminton, and played with the dog.

 

Sunday

Yesterday, Bobaloo and I had coffee and ran some errands.  We stopped into the bar to take advantage of the awesome patio weather.  Sometimes there is profound wisdom on the chalkboard in the bathroom, yesterday there was not.

 

 

 

 

Friday

Friday was uneventful.  Bobaloo and I met up with a friend for a bit at happy hour.  Another snowstorm came in so we stuck close to home.

 

Saturday

We probably got about 10 inches of snow so we decided to stay home and kick it at the pad.  Bobaloo made delicious food and I watched movies all day.  Plus, I stayed awake past the SNL monologue which is quite a feat for me!

Mmm... cheese.

 

 



 Flicks.

 

Sunday

Bobaloo and I went on the hunt for some vinyl at a couple of thrift stores, pretty slim pickings.  I think when people start spring cleaning there will be a better selection.  We did pick up an Earth Wind & Fire and a Bill Cosby Album for a total of $1.05.  Later, we headed to a bar that has a wonderful patio with fire pits for a couple of beers.  Next week they are hosting the annual deviled egg competition.

 

I am ready for the weather to get warmer, the cold and snow is messing with my disposition.



 

Friday

 

Friday was the day that would not end at work.  I was very happy when 4:30 rolled around and I was able to happy hour with Bobaloo and my friend Sam.  Later, we all went back to our place to do some grilling, beer drinking, and music listening.  We moved into a house recently, it's great to have more space to have folks over.  I also started reading Sarah Silverman's The Bedwetter, so far so good.

 

 

Saturday

   

Nik & Bobaloo at the new pad

Oy vey.  This is where the weekend got a little out of hand!  We got our tickets for Widespread Panic at Red Rocks and decided to celebrate with bloody marys (which were delicious, by the way).  The snow blew in and we made a decision to just hang at home.  It turns out some of our friends were bored too so they came over for some good old fashioned day drinking.  Snowladies were made, hotdish was eaten, laughs were had, and goofy songs were written.  I capped the night off by losing my iPhone during a liquor store trip which is why there aren't a whole lot of pics in this post.  Genius.  By the way, if you haven't had tatertot hotdish yet this winter I highly recommend this stick-to-the ribs goodness. Here's one recipe, though you can pretty much use up whatever is in your cupboard.

 

Sunday

 

I woke up, had some coffee, and shook the cobwebs so we could head up to Nederland for Frozen Dead Guy Days.  FDGD is an awesome festival that celebrates Grandpa who is frozen in a Tuff Shed.  Bobaloo, a friend, and I made the trek and enjoyed some good music, had some beers, and witnessed the goofiness.  By the time we got home, I was pretty well beat so I capped the weekend off with some frozen pizza and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

 

 

You're still here? It's over. Go home. Go.

 

 

 

Friday

 

 

I tried my hand at cooking (with close supervision) fondue.  It turned out great and I have fulfilled my cheese-eating quota for about six months.  Bobaloo put on some John Denver and we kicked 70s at the pad.

 

Saturday

 

 

Bobaloo and I headed up to Boulder to check out the National Center for Atmospheric Research which is a really fancy way to say we played with clouds.  Later we hit up a couple of bars and hung out with friends.

 

Sunday

 

 

We enjoyed the gorgeous day and hiked up North Table Mountain.  Afterwards, we enjoyed beverages on a patio.

 

 



 

 

As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

There are many things I am pretty darn thankful for this year. At the top of the list, I am thankful that my older brother made it home safe and sound to his wife and kids from Afghanistan earlier this week. It is also his birthday today and it makes me so happy that he came home just in time for his birthday and the holidays.

Bobaloo and I are still trying to create traditions for ourselves out here because it is just the two of us for the holidays. For a few years running now we have gone to a wonderful buffet on Thanksgiving at the Table Mountain Inn. We are going back again today, solidifying its place in our traditions. No cooking, no cleaning, no leftovers. That's my kind of Thanksgiving.

One of Bobaloo's favorite TV shows is WKRP in Cincinnati. I never watched it until a couple of years ago. Here's a clip of a WKRP Thanksgiving episode. Funniest thing ever. It's a little long, the best parts are at 2:oo and 5:30.

WKRP Turkey Drop - Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

I hope everyone's tables are bountiful with food, love, and laughter this year.

Gobble Gobble

Has everyone recovered from Thanksgiving? Good.

I have been living 928 miles from my family for the last four years now. It is hard to be away from the pandemonium that is the holidays with them. Amidst a little homesickness, Bobaloo and I have been starting our own traditions. I am usually not a huge fan of the holidays, but now that I get to do them my own way I look forward to them more and more.

When we first moved out to Colorado we would do traditional Thanksgiving feasts. This year we had our second annual buffet at the Table Mountain Inn. No cooking, no dishes, no drama. I ate my weight in vegetables, Bobaloo ate his fair share of turkey and we were happy and full. I napped, he watched football. All in all, Thanksgiving was a success!

Egg Salad

My "weekend" now falls on Tuesday and Wednesday so there's not always a whole lot going on. I have turned to Netflix and have been enjoying a bunch of Audrey Tatau movies. Somehow I don't feel like I am being lazy if I am watching a movie in a different language.

Also, I have been watching the first season of "Man v. Food." I want this dude's job. Today, while wolfing down a Jimmy John's sub I got to thinking...

If you entered a food-eating contest where you won by out-eating a competitor in an hour, what kind of food would you make you a champion?

I'd probably go with egg salad. Not necessarily because I like it, I just think I could eat a ton of it without getting sick.

Weird. Somehow writing this post has led me to Wiki Brain Salad Surgery. Interesting stuff.

Lord Hornblower

So, this last weekend my little bro was in town for spring break. This kid has seen and done everything by the age of 17 due to my older bro and me living in awesome locales. I was kind of stumped on what to do with him and also a little short on fun money.

For $25 apiece, I booked tickets for us to cruise the 26 miles around San Diego Harbor. When we got on the boat we found chairs for the three of us on the left side of the boat, or port side if you will, for all of my pirate readers. Ahoy, by the way. The whole tour was of everything on the right side of the boat. Oops!

We saw Diego the whale’s shadow. The poor thing is stuck in the harbor. Who gets to name the whales anyway? I have to say, it is kind of a lame name for a whale. If I had a whale, I woud probably name him Walter. What would you name your whale?

Halfway through the tour, we found a table on the sun deck where we were able to indulge in a beer and some chips. Some awesome chips. Chips in the shape of a whale’s tale. I took pictures. And as soon as I find my camera cable I will upload them. Anyway, we proceeded to get sunburned, which was awesome. Because it was March.

After the boat ride, we topped the day off with some pizza, frozen yogurt, and the movie Anchorman. I think my bro got a good taste of San Diego.

Routines

It is hard to start new routines. I am in a quasi-routine right now. Both feet are in California but my heart is still in Colorado. It's different. I am alone and have all the time in the world to write, but I do not. I haven't found my writing routine yet; my ritual.

I used to have a job that slowed down mid-morning and I would write my entries up and post them at around the same time everyday. They were quality entries (at least to me) and I could not wait until it was time to get started on that day's entry. My situation at my new job is quite different. No blogging allowed.

Although it doesn't matter too much, I feel like I have so much in my head and cannot figure out where and how to get it all out. I am having a hard time differentiating between if I am stressed out and anxious or if I am loca en la cabeza.

Perhaps, when I have furniture it will be a little more conducive to writing. I miss my couch.

On a brighter note, I am exploring. Getting around town with no worries is a pretty awesome feeling. Our little apartment is cute and the middle of the city. I am excited to be a city dweller. The noises, the hustle and bustle, the street parking, everything! I was able to take a two-minute drive last night to the harbor and look at the boats and the ocean. What a sight. I am excited for all of the upcoming adventures when Bobaloo gets here. Until then, tonight I begin the hunt for the perfect slice of pizza.

On Coffee

The perfect cup of coffee does not taste like coffee at all. It is filled with caramel, chocolate, and topped with whipped cream. It comes in a white paper cup with a hole in the black lid. The whipped cream oozes skillfully out of the hole delightfully tempting my taste buds.

On Friday mornings, my husband and I drive separately to the local coffee shop. It gives a chance to smoke a couple of cigarettes, enjoy the delicious goodness that is Kona coffee and most importantly, we get a chance to have a nice chat before heading off in our separate ways to face the day.

The smell inside the coffee shop is superb. The shop is not too bright too early. Occasionally there is a line although it is not so bad because everything smells so delicious. The baristas are pleasant but not overly cheery; they have started to use my first name. This is nice. There are brunette coffee beans for sale in candy machines that are lined against the chocolate colored wall. Animal paintings are for sale and surround coffee and teapots that are scattered on shelves.

Every so often, we will make coffee at home and I do not indulge in a cup during the workday. Fridays are an indulgence, a delicacy in our world of hurried breakfasts and Coca-Cola. This Friday morning ritual is a great reminder to take time out to enjoy the morning and a great cup of caffeinated splendor.

Ode to Perkins

I am a fan of breakfast, a huge fan at that. If I could, I would eat breakfast for every meal, which I am sure my husband would not appreciate.

We love to go out for breakfast on the weekends. We usually find out-of-the-way gems of diners to check out. Sometimes though, if we are too hungry or hung-over we end up just going to the Perkins that is a few blocks away.

This is always an experience.

Mushroom and Cheese omelet, hash browns, wheat toast and iced tea. After a late night, we ventured out for an enormous breakfast. We were seated next to the most hilarious group of older people. There were probably twelve of them and every other word was “yeah” or “wow.” Seriously, it sounded like a recording because of the dishes clanking with intermittent “yeahs” and “wows” at different intervals. A symphony of yeah-yeah-wow-clank-yeah-clank-wow. I have never laughed so hard in my life.

Two eggs over easy, wheat toast, fruit, and orange juice. We were seated across the room from an older couple. The restaurant was packed and we were just finishing our delicious breakfast. All of a sudden, the old man across the room decides to pick out a new ring tone on his cell phone. Therefore, he goes down the list of every single blaring ring and serenades us. This went on for many minutes and was sidesplitting. Everyone in the room seemed to mind except for the old man, his wife, and Bobaloo (because he was laughing so hard).

Eggs Benedict with pancakes and iced tea. Now, when you eat out for breakfast it is pretty much agreed upon that you order an obnoxiously large plate of food; a feast. We sat behind a couple on their first date. What does the guy order? Cereal and fruit. Cereal? Cereal. That is all I need to know about a man before it is the last date.

The Veggie egg scramble, a muffin, and sprite. I am willing to surmise that Bobaloo offer our brand of comedy to other patrons, especially on nights like these. You know them. We closed down the bar and were starving so we made a very rational decision, Perkins! We stumble in and sit between philosophical college students, stoner high school kids, and other rambunctious bar-closers. The next morning it is always agreed that for once, maybe breakfast was not the greatest idea.

Pie-Day Friday

So, apparently last Friday was National Pie Day. I am a little miffed about this because nobody even sent a card. Therefore, I missed what could be my favorite holiday. So, I have declared February 13th Pie-Day Friday at work. A do-over. I wish I could declare do-overs so easily in other aspects of my life! Anyway, show your pie pride and eat pie on February 13th. Mmmm...pie. P.S. Did you know there was a National Pie Council?

What Was The Best Thing Before Sliced Bread?

Today was an exciting day. In fact I feel like I have been waiting for this day my entire life. There are mornings when you wake up and know something great is going to happen to you and then there are the days of spontaneous greatness. Today’s random display of awesomeness came as a surprise. Of what mind-blowing wonder am I talking about? Chedd’s. Yep that’s right. Chedd’s.

Chedd’s is a miracle. A whole restaurant devoted to the oft overlooked delicacy known asThe Grilled Cheese.Upon entering this superior establishment you will notice that it is quite cozy. The tables are as orange as cheddar and the wall behind the counter is covered with Wisconsin license plates (you get a free sandwich if you bring one in). The lunch rush was over but there was still some hustle and bustle. Astonishingly, a table opened up.There were about four sandwiches I was choosing between when I opted for A French Kiss (the name of the sandwich).

This glorious delight included garlic and herb jack, gorgonzola, onion, sun dried tomato spread, and pizza sauce on focaccia bread. It was scrumptious.A hearty sandwich; but one that you could finish in one sitting. A little bit greasy, but other than that, the sandwich was pretty remarkable. The cheese to onion to pizza sauce ratio was stupendous.Chedd’s has made my day. With menu items such as The Buff Hamster, A Man From Iowa, Hot Gobbler, and The Oinky, what’s not to love? Giant cheese-hats off to Chedd's.

http://www.chedds.com/

On Breakfast

Sunday mornings are a source of weekly enjoyment in my life. While the masses are busy shaking off their hangover in order to get to church on time for repentance, my husband and I have breakfast. Sundays of yesteryear were merely the day before imminent Monday imposes its gloom upon the nine-to-fivers of the world. Until I met him, a modern day Saint of Sundays who replaced the doom and gloom of yore with delicious divinity manifested as pancake stacks, French toast, and my favorite, the breakfast skillet.

In times like these it is very important to be thankful for the good things in our lives, and I for one, am thankful to be married to a man who is a breakfast skillet connoisseur. Who, for the sake of anonymity shall be referred to as one of the following: The Bacon Authority, The Sausage Link Specialist, The Eggspert (saw that one coming), The Brunch Buff, or most preferably, the Breakfast Ninja.

The most favorable time to start breakfast on a Sunday is around eight thirty. This hour allows for a little sleeping-in yet it does not feel like you have wasted the entire morning. This is preferable timing in our dwelling because the actual eating of breakfast can then coincide with the end of The Sunday Morning Show when Bill Geist is on, allowing for some mellow, yet cheery tunes beforehand. Breakfast is the only routine we have in our lives and it is an endearing occurrence amidst the hustle and bustle of opposing workweek schedules.

Breakfast Ninja usually begins the meal with a lot of banging around in the quaint u-shaped kitchen, a symphony that fills the entire apartment with a reassuring racket. Cabinets are clamoring, uproarious plates are blundering around in the blaring dishwasher, plates clanging against each other, the general stirring around of kitchen items. Taking things out, putting things away, rearranging. I am not sure, but I have to believe there is a process behind all of this commotion. To add to the ruckus, Bacon Authority cooks with his music on and kind of bops around the kitchen while cooking. It is an endearing quality.

Eggspert usually starts the coffee next adding a Drip! Drip! Drip! to signal the beginning of something great. He is quite scrupulous in his preparation with each step carefully mapped out. The cooking begins with potatoes because those take the longest to heat through. While the tiny finger potatoes are sizzling in the skillet, the other vegetables are primed.

A typical breakfast skillet is pretty much a veg fest due to my vegetarian ways. A robust breakfast includes bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, cilantro, and potatoes. Bacon Authority is exceedingly methodical when he is chopping the vegetables. I know that there is a reason for such diligence. Vegetables should be sliced small so that they will cook thoroughly, yet large enough so you are able to pick them up with your fork. Crunchiness is also a factor to consider when contemplating vegetable dimension.

Because I am a vegetarian, breakfast on a Sunday usually consists of an element Sausage Link Specialist and I refer to as Facon. Fake bacon for the layman. This product is made from soy and has similar coloring, taste, and texture as bacon. It is somewhat eerie upon first taste but an excellent substitute nonetheless. The facon is put in another pan and started shortly after the veggies are added to the skillet.

Around this time, the smell is very big in our tiny apartment. I sometimes wonder if the neighbors are as envious of our breakfast aroma as we are when they barbecue outside. I like to think so. Brunch Buff adds the eggs around this time and starts getting the necessary tools (forks, plates, juice, ketchup, etc.) for eating. These next few minutes are the most unbearable because everything smells so good and you do not realize how hungry you actually are.

Last, Breakfast Ninja smothers the skillet with a hearty dumping of Colby Jack cheese. The skillet is skillfully plated up and the appearance is nothing short of stunning. The reds, yellows, greens light up the plate and boast the assortment of flavors and textures. The whole moment is both glorious and exciting.

The taste is magnificent. It is as if your mouth deprived itself during eight hours of sleep and all of your taste buds woke up. I personally enjoy each bite doused in a glutinous layer of ketchup and some green chili on the side. The colors and textures are splendid, you just feel happier and healthier after this breakfast.