Actually it's the OOBIE that's (usually) a weekly award, YAPPIEs are monthly awards..., but being a member of Team Suck gets you the privilege of being called upon to vote on either. Stay tuned for occasional ballots in your inbox. :)
Facts? You expect me to deliver FACTS?
*clears throat uncomfortably*
Well, Jeffrey, working for a govt agency as you do, it's either that or whitewash. ;)
Indeed. Last year's Passover recipe from me was lamb shanks. This year, it's my grandmother's rice pudding (Grandma Elsie died 7 years ago, and this was the dish everyone in my large, extended family knew was my favorite of hers). I was fortunate enough last night to host two of my first cousins for Passover. One said that when she took a bite and closed her eyes, she could imagine Grandma making it. Now THAT made my day. :)
So ... rice pudding. Apologies to my non-American friends for the English measurements.
2c. cooked rice (I started with 3/4c. dry rice and ended up with almost 3c. of cooked rice, so try 1/2c. dry to start with)
4c. milk
5 eggs
3/4c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract (although I often use 2-3 tsp. because I love the flavor)
raisins, cinnamon, and nutmeg to taste
Blend the sugar and eggs well (this is the first point where I can hear Grandma in her southern American accent: "mix them reaaaal good."
Heat the milk and rice so they're hot but not boiling. Slowly pour the egg/sugar mixture into the milk/rice while stirring constantly (this keeps the egg from cooking, instead turning the whole mixture into a rich, raw custard). Add vanilla and mix well.
Pour the hot mixture into a greased casserole dish (if you use a crockpot, you can put it right on the stove to do the heating). Sprinkle raisins into the mixture (this is the second point where I hear Grandma. Me: 1/2c. of raisin? 1c.? How much? Grandma: I don't know, some!). Sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon over the top.
Put the dish onto a cookie sheet (broad pan with shallow sides) with some water in it and bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees. After an hour, slide a knife in near the edge. If it comes out clean, it's done; if not, try it again every 10 minutes (it's not overly sensitive to timing). It's okay if the center is still a little wobbly - it'll keep cooking for some time as it cools.
Delicious served warm or refrigerated (cover it so stronger flavors don't migrate from other foods in the fridge). Sweet liquid will accumulate once it gets cold. Also good with milk poured over it.
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup margarine (or softened butter, if preferred)
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsps water OR substitute same amount of liquer, ie Bailey's, for Boozy Brownies
OPTIONAL 1/2 cup chopped nuts or similar foreign bodies
Sift sugar, cocoa and flour together into a bowl. Add all other ingredients and beat for at least 2 minutes (beater setting on medium seems best). Fold in any foreign bodies. Pour batter into a greased 8-inch pan. Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. Let cool, cut into squares and EAT!
Thought I'd share a couple of things about my kid that make me laugh, even through recent migraines and other family drama:
After offering a banana as the "treat" to get him to finish his dinner, he angrily (but not crying or fussy) stated Banana's not a treat! Jell-O is a treat!" I stifled my laugh in front of him, but I've been laughing every day since.
When he was a baby, I got him an Alien face-hugger in an egg toy (the small one, not the "life size" ones). Last night as he got ready for bed, he pulled that toy out, plucked out the face hugger from the egg, looked up at Mom, and stuck it on his face! Mom was not amused, but Dad sure was!
Anyway, I'm doing better, and might even sqeeze in an entry for one of the open challenges tonight.
ETA: I should point out that he's only 4. If he was 14, it'd be less funny..
Thanks for the great comments Deb and Bob! I posted the positive to the negative shot in the notes section. The crop is different because I edited it for myself (and the positive isn't basic editing either). But I did love the shot and I stalked that poor bike rider for quite a while. LOL!
I'm not in any challenges at the moment. Nor will I be for any of the upcoming unless a miracle occurs (I find something to shoot, for instance.) I don't know whether it's DPC-fatigue or a general malaise, but I just don't seem to be happy with anything I shoot these days. Just a phase, I'm sure... and as my mother always says, this too shall pass.
Anyway, best of luck to all ye who are indeed entered!
I'm not in any challenges at the moment. Nor will I be for any of the upcoming unless a miracle occurs (I find something to shoot, for instance.) I don't know whether it's DPC-fatigue or a general malaise, but I just don't seem to be happy with anything I shoot these days. Just a phase, I'm sure... and as my mother always says, this too shall pass.
Anyway, best of luck to all ye who are indeed entered!
I'm not in any challenges at the moment. Nor will I be for any of the upcoming unless a miracle occurs (I find something to shoot, for instance.) I don't know whether it's DPC-fatigue or a general malaise, but I just don't seem to be happy with anything I shoot these days. Just a phase, I'm sure... and as my mother always says, this too shall pass.
Anyway, best of luck to all ye who are indeed entered!
Just finished a gtg with BeeCee and Becky-Lee, shot for Sepia and Healthy Food and some nice portfolio pix too. Sheila got what should become my next profile pic, lol!
I'm not in any challenges at the moment. Nor will I be for any of the upcoming unless a miracle occurs (I find something to shoot, for instance.) I don't know whether it's DPC-fatigue or a general malaise, but I just don't seem to be happy with anything I shoot these days. Just a phase, I'm sure... and as my mother always says, this too shall pass.
Anyway, best of luck to all ye who are indeed entered!
I totally understand, and I am right there with you Deb. Although slapping will not help, I do believe that in time we will both get our mojo back. Hang in there.
I'm not in any challenges at the moment. Nor will I be for any of the upcoming unless a miracle occurs (I find something to shoot, for instance.) I don't know whether it's DPC-fatigue or a general malaise, but I just don't seem to be happy with anything I shoot these days. Just a phase, I'm sure... and as my mother always says, this too shall pass.
Anyway, best of luck to all ye who are indeed entered!
I totally understand, and I am right there with you Deb. Although slapping will not help, I do believe that in time we will both get our mojo back. Hang in there.
I'm afraid to fiddle with my mojo! I did well so far and it's so easy for me to slip back into single digit percentile!
I don't know whether it's DPC-fatigue or a general malaise, but I just don't seem to be happy with anything I shoot these days. Just a phase, I'm sure... and as my mother always says, this too shall pass.
I totally understand, and I am right there with you Deb.
You'll both be ok. My inspiration came back a couple of weeks ago after vanishing for more than a month. :)
