LOL - iPAD

Sorry JJ but I couldn't resist sharing this? While I would like an iPhone. I don't exactly see the need for an iPad perhaps I'm still in the last century anyhow. I couldn't resist sharing this.

Adventures in Boston, Toilets & Machu Picchu

Jono was complaining to me that I haven't gone on many adventures this year. Perhaps he's right or I have gone but I haven't blogged about them. So here's a few adventures I've been on so far this year.
I've done a lot of walking in the cold of boston. Trust me sometimes the wind on the channel is in an adventure in and of itself. I've seen the back of my coworks on the summer street bridge.
And the channel. I kind of like this sideways can you see it starting to freeze?
The skyline it was such a nice sunset.
I went to dinner with my boss on the north end and the bathroom in the basement literally was an icebox. I also thought I needed to take a picture in it.
I've been spying all these tagging stickers around Boston this one I love. I'm not sure why but isn't it cute.
And then there was an adventure in toilet installation. I think Lowe's had been missing us. We took our nerd glasses with us so we could look geeky buying our eco-friendly toilet - ya that's right #34. Mom got bored while we were wandering around and so she found some place to hang out until we were ready to check out. First jono watched uTube to find out about toliet installation then we removed the old toilet - let's be real I pretty much let jono do all the work because I'm not so into plumbing or toilets although I did help a little like opening the box (hehe). Anyhow the toilet removal went off without a hitch but then we couldn't get the new toilet to be flush to the floor - despite everything we tried so I called the Jodie and Dennis. They are very handy friends and they ROCK! And they enlightened us and finally jono got it fixed and working. And it is something how it works - :D Now for some photos...
Nerd glasses go to Lowes. (For the record these used to be JJ's back in highschool aren't they sexy?) Click photo for a larger view.
Out with the old - toilets are really heavy good thing we have safety gear like goggles and gloves.
And then there was the new one. :D we obviously weren't done when we put it in.
And then there was Machu Picchu - which is a Peruvian restaurant on the west side of Indy. I read about it in Indianapolis Monthly which btw I love to get each month although I have to say I didn't like the last two issues. And I thought with us going to Peru and Chile this year it would be good to sample the cuisine. So we drove to the west side and we found machu picchu which is beside a Mexican and Ethiopian place both of which we cannot wait to try and it's also right near Mexican and Asian supermarket who knew Indy even had these places? We are already planning an adventure to do some shopping over that way. Anyhow about the place - it was almost empty but it was cute. And we ordered some random stuff I had never heard off. It was pretty good although I can't say it was anything too special. The best thing we had was the sweet potatoes. I think perhaps i wasn't in LOVE with it because it wasn't that spicy? Anyhow a few pics.
The place looks like this...
I order something called Purple Corn to drink and it reminded a bit of cold wassail there's nutmeg in it. I liked it but jono did not.
they had paintings of machu picchu
these are the sweet potatoes that were great. I decided that this dish was one you were supposed to mix some beef, sweet potatoes and pickled tomatoes and onion like a burrito which is pretty good together.
We got Yuca - which is not cactus (I guess I'm thinking of something else), but it rather the root of south American plant. This wasn't that different than french fries although sweeter and not oily.
some kind of seafood - I cannot comment on that.
and some kind of beef dish. This was rather like beef stew it ended up being a safe dish although when I ordered it I had no clue, anyhow it was pretty good I would have it again but I would most like try something again.
Hows that for some adventures?? I'll make sure and cram lots more into Feb.

Tuesday Tutorials - Donut Making

So many things this week could have been tutorials but this weekend jono and I tried to make donuts for him to take to work. In the past I've always made them with bisquick but this time we wanted to try from scratch (for the record I recommend the bisquick kind easier).
Anyhow we tried like 6 different recipes and it seemed like one disaster after the next. But we learned some lessons along the way:

• Like any recipe that calls for less than 1/2 cup of liquid but 4 cups of flour will make the driest of donuts.
• You really really really should sift the flour even if your hand feels like it will fall off when you are done.
• Use anything from a cup to a funnel to cut your donuts.
• Drink beer while frying.
• DO NOT touch the bottom of your fryer after you unplug it.
• Dough will be wet when you roll it - this is OKAY.

For the record we now have 80+ donuts we won't eat and plan to feed to some geese or ducks or something soon hah - sometimes even the best laid plans don't work as intended.
Anyhow here is the recipe and process that works and I wish you happy donut making.

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

As a bonus I'm going to post about our egg roll making from last week soon too! :D

Happy Birthday Lili!

Today is my good friend Lili's birthday! I hope it's filled with good fortune and happiness! Hugs & Smiles!Image from this adorable blog here.

$1 Thrift Store

Aunt Thea has a goal of buying $1 items this year. Well today I went out for coffee/tea with my friend (hi Lori) and we took a quick trip to the thrift store to play along. I wish I had brought my camera as today was $0.48 cent day and there were so many choices of things I could have got for $1.00. I thought about ...
Polaroid Camera the kind that "pops" out
Orange Samonsite Suitcase circa 1970
A vintage thermos (a boring one)
Ceramic cats
Set of 2 Santa Face Mugs
and more...
But I didn't get sold on any of those. Instead I got... 3 yards of pink floral fabric and these apple print napkins from the 1970s or so. And the best part is it was only 96 cents not even $1. Lori got her kids some cute clothes too but it cost her more like $5.

Ahhhhh!

I LOVE this fabric but it's $30+/yard perhaps I can just settle for a quarter or too. Isn't it pretty?

And then there's this one yes that's right it's a donkey wearing wellies! I LOVE it!

And we made egg rolls

Two weeks ago we made egg rolls here. This was my first time making them without my phillipino friend and surprisingly I think they were excellent jono's co-workers would agree I think - #47 done - CHECK. Anyhow I have been meaning to blog the recipe but I keep forgetting. So here you have it. And making egg rolls is just getting ready for chinese new year.





Marinade

lb ground pork
1 tblsp soy sauce
1 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp sesame oil

Filling

1/2 head of cabbage shredded
3 carrots shredded
1 Tblsp high-heat cooking oil
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 Tblsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Shells

15-20 Roll Wrappers, defrosted
Peanut Oil for Frying

1. Marinate for 10 minute at room temperature pork, sauce, cornstarch, sugar and sesame oil.
2. Heat oil in wok or large frying pan over high heat until hot to coat.
3. Add garlic, ginger and fry until fragrant, 15-30 seconds. Add the pork and fry until pink.
4. Stir fry in the cabbage, carrots for a minute. Mix in the soy sauce, sesame oil , salt, and black pepper and fry for another minute.
5. Spread mixture on a tilted baking sheet cool and drain the extra liquids. Let cool for 15 minutes.
6. Discard extra juice and use towels to blot the extra juice.
7. Pre-heated oil to 350degrees.
8. Next lay the egg roll flat on the counter and add about 2-3 tblsp of the filling to the corner and roll as like you might fold a envelope. Bottom corner, then fold in the sides and roll upward until it's sealed. Seal with a little water brushed on the corner to adhere the egg roll.
9. When all the egg rolls are "rolled" then fry in the oil for about 2-4 minutes rotating until golden brown.
Seriously if you have never made egg rolls these things are AWESOME - as great as the ones from Phan Shin.

Tuesday Tutorial - Stamped Cards

Supply List:
Cutter
Scissors
Adhesive
3 Inks that compliment each other I like Orange and Aqua & Black
1 mom/sister/friend to keep you company
2 Pieces Solid Color Cardstock 12x12 (match to ink)
1 Piece of White Cardstock
Stamp Set -( I used an Stamping Up Happy Birthday Set but any will do)

Oh and a shout-out to my newest friend Amol.

I just felt like blogging

I don't really have anything too exciting to share - I'm lounging around I haven't even bothered to shower, jono is napping on the couch, mom may or may not be coming up with dinner, thinking about the home remodeling projects, planning to hit home depot/lowes/menards up today and get a new toilet for the master bath (yes I know you were interested to know this), should probably start up some laundry, oh and I may go to the Y and swim today. Oh delightful. And for more rambling...

A little artist discovery - James Castle - I wish I hadn't missed his exhibit at AIC - I really wanted to go see it - oh well. Such an interesting life and his art is very cool some made from found objects. Isn't this piece lovely? He was deaf, mute, and mentally challenged, perhaps even autistic.

This book. I wish it wasn't sold out I have a feeling I might get bored this winter.Fancy ceramics that look like pie pans - found here.
I have this sudden urge to go out and buy all things pink although I will resist the urge.
pink socks.
pink cupcakes.
pink sweaters.


bikes.


suitcases.
Oh and this is a super fun blog - Mostly Useless Things I want. Because sometimes we just want something useless (although I do have a thing for practical.
Happy Saturday!