I have heat!

I've turned up the heaters to get the apartment to a good temperature.

Downside: still have holes in the floors which means that I am also heating the basement.

Aw, shucks, Aims.

I'm slowly learning to cook. I have a couple of items under my belt now.

And I will get you those recipes. I'm getting ready to run out the door, but I will try to send them later tonight. Be warned though, the shrimp and endive thing was given to S as just a list of ingredients. I can have her tell you how she threw them together and in what proportions, but that recipe is a little more seat-of-the-pants than the fig and goat cheese quesedillas.

Fairbanks cam

26 below. So glad I didn't go up there for Christmas.

under S's influence?

Oh yes. That, and she got me hooked on Top Chef, Good Eats (actually that one was a collective effort with the Buffistas), and Rachel Ray. I was already in to Iron Chef, and recently started watching Iron Chef America, and have now turned into a Mario Batali fanboy as well.

They all make the cooking look so easy, but I am terrible at multitasking and my first couple of times with any given recipe is a little stressful for everyone involved.

He made goat cheese and fig quesadillas that were so fucking good, I almost needed new pants.

Maybe Sean could try it with bleu cheese?

t runs away from now-forbidden-mold-joke

I love to ice skate. I should organize a skating night this winter. There's a small rink near my house.

Because they last for years and years and are hella comfy (if you have the right foot shape). They are worth the investment, IMB(oots)O.

I've owned a pair since 1994. I wore them daily when backpacking through Europe, so walking several miles per day. I wear them hiking (albeit not very often) and anytime that I know that I'm going to be on my feet for while, because they are so damn comfy. Haven't worn them so much in the last 5 years or so, but that's a function of lifestyle, not the shoe.

Why are Docs so spendy?

oh, try Nordstrom rack. I picked up my three hole ones there.

and I have to share an annoyance. I just bought a very cute tuxedo jacket and little flippy skirt (on sale!) However, the jacket was really wrinkled, like can't wear it wrinkled. I asked if they had another in the back. they replied "that comes in a box, they're all like that, you'll have to steam it" I'LL have to steam it? the fuck? I was very tempted to leave it, but it was a damn good deal. I hate it when my cheapness overrides my desire for good service.

Mmmm, Sean's menu is making me hungry.

26 below.

Eeep. I didn't much like those temps. Particularly the toes thawing. Ouchy ouch ouch.

They all make the cooking look so easy, but I am terrible at multitasking

At least half of the comments on any given Rachel Ray recipe on foodtv.com begin with "This took me over an hour!" so you're not alone in that. (I imagine it's easier to make a 30-minute meal in 30 minutes when you have the entire Food Network prep kitchen staff testing and streamlining recipes for you, and an on-set crew making sure that nobody's "helpfully" put all your wooden spoons away in a drawer you only ever use for dish towels.)

t Simon Pegg voice Skip to the end... t /Simon Pegg voice

whoo for Sean's mad kitchen skills! Whoo for Brenda being gone from CrazyLand!

Home. OMG. The trip was... well, it was.

(delete crazy whining babble here)

Anyway. Hope all is well in Bitch-ville! Off to shower and scrub off the remnants of Merry Old England and put on clothes that I haven't worn more than 3 times in a week.

Nora!! Glad to hear you & Tom got there and back safely. Sorry for the trip mainly being a case of "living in interesting times", but it sounds like it had enough ups for the downs.