Pantry Fixes

May is almost bye-bye; good thing we knocked a small, but big project off the list -- the pantry. When we bought this place the pantry only had a handful of shelves. We would joke about an episode of Some Random House-Buying Show on HGTV (there are a million of them) and the couple was showing off their kitchen post-move.

The woman opens the pantry and they have lots of room but only 3 shelves -- which are stacked high with food -- as she reaches to put chips on top of the burgeoning pile, she comments, "We love our pantry" and just pushes it in, like it has tape on the bottom and will hopefully stick.

We've felt that way for months and actually laughing make that comment quite often. So, we had enough and went to Home Depot with a shelf to figure it out. Of course, it was wider than most boards and not wide enough for others. We'd basically have to cut-to-fit. We found some already-laminated boards, but couldn't find someone to help us cut it - and then heard they really don't cut that. What?!

That did lead to some excitement for Ryan because it meant he was getting a new tool! He's been gathering a nice collection lately: lawnmower, weed wacker, wallboard saw, and now a jigsaw. After traversing back-and-forth (I think we made 4 rounds in Home Depot) we finally bought our stuff and went home to make the shelves.



One thing led to another, and all the shelves in the kitchen received a nice makeover. It works so much better now! Putting dishes away is a breeze -- I think most people stock their kitchen shelves when the first move in, shoving things wherever there is space. Having Ryan re-think it from scratch was invaluable. Oh...yes...I do have to admit...Ryan did pretty much everything. Aw, my hero.

After all of that, I pulled out some ground turkey and made some awesome Turkey Burgers -- made them up and put them on the grill. Fantastic! They also made a nice topping for Ryan's salads during the week. I'm proud of how we've been eating super well and he's been working out so much! He's a beefcake now!!


Yummy Turkey Burgers

I haven't run for over a month -- partly because I've been sick the past few weeks with a nasty cough. Don't know where this is coming from but also suspect the new job has something to do with it. I won't go into it, because I working hard to not think about work today. I am having separation issues with work-life right now. It's not that I have so much work projects going on...it's all internally-driven and I need to stop! Ack, there I go again, damn it!!!



Grete is super cute -- I love her. She follows me around all day, especially if I work from home. Isaac is wonderful too -- happy as can be.

OK, menu planning time!

Tschüß!!

Rotkartoffelsalat

I made that title up -- but I made a really good batch of it yesterday for a Sunday BBQ at the Jeff and Steve's house. I didn't want to make an American-style version with loads of Mayo and French's Mustard...so I went with a Paula Deen recipe that turned out perfectly!



Tip: Instead of shelling out $1.79 per pound for the Class 'C' Red Potatoes, which are really cute and small, go for the $.79 per pound regular Red Potatoes. For this recipe you want the bulk of the potato, not just skins.

Click here for the Red Potato Salad Recipe

Meanwhile, most of the day we relaxed and recovered from our night out. These days, we don't go too crazy with hitting bars but we did have a great date night - I bought tickets to Indiana Jones and we walked to the theater (people are going to be sick of me gloating over that but it's really one of the coolest things in the world) -- it was a sticky afternoon and even though we arrived early, we were about 3/4 back in the line...right at the door. The sticky heat of summer air rushed through the doorway, right past our legs into the lobby.

The movie rocked!! We both really enjoyed it, as well as two pitchers of hoppy IPAs...I've been anti-IPA for some time, but I can't remember exactly why. Tasting these, I'm actually enjoying the flavor of the hops!

We left the movie, stumbled home and at the last minute Ryan pulled me toward the Horseshoe Lounge and we stopped in for a beer. Well, after talking to a few of the regulars and three beers later we finally made it home.



Ryan sleeps off his migrane

It didn't help that we have both been sick because Ryan had a migraine the next day (yeah yeah in most countries we call that a hangover...but this was pretty bad) and my cough was a bit strong.



Even our pet Squirrel was sleepy and wanted to nap

At about 3, Ryan rolled out of bed and declared he wanted to mow the lawn! He's such a good mower and I'm glad he likes yardwork. I'll take care of the kitchen, he'll take care of the landscaping, and all will be well in the world.



Ryan expertly mows the lawn

At the BBQ, we were comparing couple's notes with Jeff and Steve -- they had a similar arrangement when they first got together. Jeff does the lawn, Steve does the finances. Although for Ryan and I, we were so young and I really had no concept of domestic life. I suppose at the time my life was school, laundry, write papers, live cheaply, date Ryan. Sounds nice and easy!



Isaac and Scott

Now, it's work, fold laundry (Ryan does the washing around here), write checks, try to live cheaply, love Ryan......cook meals, grocery shop, love my bird, love my cat, clean up after the bird, scoop out cat poop, play Wii, read magazines, check e-mail, forget birthdays, drink good beer and good wine, read newspaper, listen to music, and try, try, try to live well.

Since it's Memorial Day, I should be thinking about those lost in War. I don't understand war (couldn't corporate innovation and teambuilding help vet out issues???? haha!) but proudly have two grandfathers who served in World War II, a father who was in the US Army, an uncle who served in Vietnam, and ancestors who fought in the Civil War (both sides!) and the Revolutionary War!



My grandma and grandpa (dad's side) reading cards at their 70th Wedding Anniversary. My grandpa served in Europe, driving German soldiers back to their home towns

Off to go have a nice Memorial Day -- it also means lots of furniture sales and we need chairs for our new dining table!!

Tschüß!!

Indiana Jones

BTW, it absolutely rocked. Ryan even bought me a shirt afterwards -- it has a monkey juggling fruits and underneath it says "bad dates" -- hahaha!

Tschüß!!

Indiana Jones and Random Typing Fact

Yay, I just bought tickets to see Indiana Jones tonight at the Alamo Drafthouse. Heaven awaits us!!

Oh, and I found out this -- I can type 87 words per minute!

87 words

Nice, huh!

Tschüß!!

Chicken Shit Bingo

I think that people have the wrong idea about Texas. (Well, once that baffoon in the White House is back at his ranch, it'll certainly help.) I did when I first moved here.

In all reality, Central Texas is an interesting mix of great-great-great-grandchildren of German and Czech immigrants, a healthy dose of Mexicans (don't forget, we live in former Mexico), pockets of hippies (and now kids of hippies), and then 'tech-transplants' like me.

A few weeks ago, we went with Kris to drink our cares away in memory of her son Micah's passing 5 years ago. So, where does one go? Why not a dive bar to listen to Rockabilly music, drink cheap Pearl beer, and play Chicken Shit Bingo!

Proof:

Now, I have no proof that Ginny's Longhorn Saloon has any connection with German immigrants, but there is a tie-in later. Let me explain the Chicken. Every Sunday at 4 p.m. you can line up to buy a numbered square on the plywood straddling the pool table. It's quite a confusing operation, with the band playing 15 feet away from you, crowds of old ladies and yuppies all trying to navigate the piles of old chairs and formica tables. Eventually, Ginny herself leaves to grab the chicken, who lives out back, and deposits her in the cage -- corn is strewn about. The chicken eats, the crowd watches, Ginny feeds it pieces of something that looked like cooked egg (?!) and eventually......YEEEAAAAHHHHH!! The chicken shits. The number is announced. The winners split the pot.



I'm serious! It actually just made Esquire's Best 100 Bar list, too.



Bring your own liquor too, if ya want!



Or your dog -- we discovered Pearl beer, which has faded in popularity. Interestingly enough, it's recipe comes from Bremen, Germany -- from the same makers of Beck's. Although the brand is now owned by Pabst and brewed at a Miller brewery in Dallas, it was mighty tasty.



OK, beyond that I also wish a happy 70th wedding anniversary to my grandparents, Sam and Hila. I was able to spend a lot of time with them at the beginning of the month in Salt Lake City. They're both so cute and haven't changed a bit.



Tschüß!!