Food Find

Mhhh looks good don't they. This fabulous food find is straight from your local mexi market. Carniceria Los Hermanos, Buford Hwy Farmers Market, or any other mexican market you stumble upon should have these delicious snacks. What are they, you wonder. This bite sized spicy bits are spicy chickpeas. They are cooked until hard and covered in a chili spice. Sometimes you will see them as garbanzo y' limon I believe. These things are addicting so be forwarned.

Sadness abounds

Well, 3 big names died this past week and weekend. I'm sure you know: Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Billie Mays. It's hard to believe how easily you can be taken. Cancer, heart disease, a combo of pills, an accident. I just read about a 12 yo who dies during a bull ride in the local rodeo competition. His parents said he died doing what he loved.

Poor Michael, while his later years proved to be shocking and newspaper worthy, he created some of the most original music out there. He was an icon, even with the bad press, jokes, and stories surrounding him. I have spoken with more than 1 person who cried after learning he died and while I would never do that because I am not that sentimental, I do feel that it is a tragedy to lose such a great musical talent. I also feel sad for him because I think what he was in the past couple years was due to the way he was brought up and it disappoints me that they cute face of a young MJ turned into the scary MJ of the 2000s. I mourn more so for a boy lost than for the man he became.

As for Farrah, I never thought about her much, too young to watch Charlie's Angels, but I did meet Jaclyn Smith at my cousins wedding. I never thought much about her until after her death when I saw her documentary on ABC. It was gut-wrenching. Perhaps it's more the thought that hundreds of people go through that and never get their story told. The part when they told her that her cancer had spread tore my heart. To know where you are headed scares me. I would prefer to die in my sleep but many hear that the end is coming. Billie Mays was the lucky one. While he isn't as famous as the other 2, he was influential. He talked millions of people into buying products they didn't need; what talent. I only hope all 3 are hanging out somewhere playing poker.
This is for y'all.

Quote of the Week

"Children need encouragement. If a kid gets an answer right, tell him it was a lucky guess. That way he develops a good, lucky feeling."

-Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy

Self Portraits

I just joined a group on flickr that has me taking a self portrait every day for 365 days. Hope I can stick with it. If you know me, you know I am not all that good at commitments.

The Braves play here

Going to the Braves vs Yankees game tonight and it is all you can eat and drink. Tickets and AYCD provided by my company- "whoop whoop"!! ( I think Christy is the one who always blogs whoop whoop so I will quote her for that bad boy saying; it's cool, I got super____ from Ardis). Anyway Braves game tonight. Is it bad if I am already plum wo' out? I am so tired yet this weekend will not provide rest for the weary. It makes me tired just thinking about it. I have a busy weekend of pet sitting coming up. Trying to pre-pay for Puerto Rico, the birthday tax soon to arrive in September, the Paul McCartney concert at Piedmont Park ( didn't know, well now you do. It's July 15th. Say "Thank you Stephie". You Welcome), trip to South Africa for the World Cup next summer. Wow, so many things to make money for. Oh and did I forget the big purchase that is soon-to-be (we hope) it's buying a new house. Actually let me re-phrase, a new-to-me house. I can't wait. Actually I can. I really need to wait until I find my perfect house. I have found one but it's not looking so good. Its a cute little shotgun in Cabbagetown. Problem is that the owner has high expectations and my wallet doesn't quite meet his expectations. Well Y'all try and keep your fingers crossed for me and my potential new abode. It will be sad to leave the Highlands because I loooove living there (here, now, whatever) but I need greener and cheaper pastures:)

Oh I am going to leave a fabulous link below for some delicious raw asparagus salad. It's so easy. Pithy and Cleaver turned me on to it. Especially because I had some asparagus in the fridge and didn't feel like heating up the homestead for it. Basically you break the tough ends of the asparagus off, (bend holding both ends, where it snaps should be tossed) and cut into small, edible pieces. Add to that sweet peas, cubed pecorino romano, juice of 1 lemon, a drizzle of olive oil, lots of freshly ground pepper, and a little salt. The salad is yummy, quick, and the flavor layering is fantastic. Recipe can be seen her:
http://www.pithyandcleaver.com/?p=807&cpage=1#comment-1242

Random Shots

All can be on my flickr site but they can also be seen below. Some from Fathers Day, some from random shots between pet sits, some from the Drive In, which I went to for the 2nd time last Friday evening. See if you can tell which is which? Oh and Big News: I am going to Puerto Rico at the beginning of August for an extended weekend (basically 3 days, due to my brothers lack of vacation days). I am really pumped and am in need of suggestions on restaurants, hotels, sites, and the like. Drop me a line if you think you can help. I am so pumped!!!

Breaking News.......

My teeth hurt. Make it stop, somebody make it stop.

Quote of the Week

"Better not take a dog on the space shuttle, because if he sticks his head out when you're coming home his face might burn up."
-Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy

Food Find of the Week

Feeling a hankering for something crunchy, witha great texture? Then go on down to the Buford Hwy Farmers Market and pick up some freshly-made-on-site half sours. They are pickles that have not been fully pickled. They are super yummy and addicting. You can find the half sours in the Eastern European cold section.

Laziness Abounds in Atlanta

So because I have been too lazy too cute, possibly too busy as well but I like you to think that all I do when I get home from work is sit on my fat ass vs the errand-running-dog-parking-work-outing-petsitting things I do typically after work. Doesn't the saying go "no rest for the weary"? Surely the ambigous they who came up with that was speaking about me....because remember: it's all about me! Haha. You know I'm clowning. No, but on a more serious note. On top of the suggested laziness I have been pretty busy and therefor don't get around to making dinner, though dinner last night was a good one. Easy and delicious and heated the hell out of my kitchen. I couldn't walk to my bedroom for 2 hours after cooking because I felt like I had fallen into the pits of hell when walking through the kitchen. Last night I grilled up some Applegate Farm's chicken andouille sausage. To go with the sausage, which by the way has non-pork casing- I cooked up a package of yellow rice- I love that stuff- and also made a pot of black beans, mixing canned black beans with half a can of rotel and some red pepper flakes. I topped the black beans off with choppe cilantro and mixed the beans, rice, and sauasge together. It was tasty and super quick to make. It takes 20 minutes only because the rice has to cook down.
Oh and by the way Applegate Farms is the bombdiggity. You can buy them at Whole Foods and Trader Joes, amongst other places. I love the fact that they are pork and beef free since that is rare, even when speaking of chicken sausage.

OKay 'nuff said about my work ethic. I wanted to give you some links to some great recipes that I have found on this vast, wonderful online world known as the internet. Find the links below and don't be suprised if some of the recipes on there have changed your life. They have mine.;) Good Eatsmy virtual friends.

Mini Cheery Cutie Pies: http://bakerella.blogspot.com/2007/11/mini-cherry-cutie-pies.html

Strawberry Sour Cream Scones with Brown Sugar Crumble: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/baked-good/recipe-strawberrysour-cream-scones-with-brown-sugar-crumble-085218

Rasberry Souffle: http://www.eatingoutloud.com/2009/05/raspberry-souffle-recipe.html

Chocolate Bouchons ( sounds so fancy, you gotta make 'em): http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/dessert/picnic-recipe-chocolate-bouchons-from-thomas-keller-087221

Peach Pie Crumble (perfect time for pretty peaches): http://nofearentertaining.blogspot.com/2009/05/first-of-season-georgia-peaches-and-my.html

Chickpea salad: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/panfried-chickpea-salad-recipe.html

Green Papaya Salad: http://www.pithyandcleaver.com/?p=641

Herbed Tzatsiki Chicken: http://www.pithyandcleaver.com/?p=114

Last up, White Bean Roasted Red Pepper DIp ( say that 5 times fast): http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/08/dorkalicious/

@ the Drive In

My friend Easy E's birthday was Saturday so we all went to the Starlight 6 Drive In to celebrate. It was such a good time. We got their pretty early and drove into this gigantic parking lot with large white billboards in every corner. There were already about 20 cars in the parking lot with people grilling out, throwing footballs and frisbees, and just hanging out. It felt like tailgating before a college football game only people weren't wearing the same color clothing and girls didn't have mascot "tattoos" on their cheeks. My friends and I brought a pretty good spread of food and had a really nice picnic in front of the cars before the movie. We wound up seeing The Hangover which is hilarious. Definitely go check it out if you like comedies. It is one of those movies you could see over and over- very funny. The movie had all the things you could want Mike Tyson, a naked Asian man, a Tiger, and roofies. Fun times.

Fuego Mundo Restaurant Review

They have been open a week. The service is good, but can be a bit overbearing- might be due to the lack of customers. I was all they had to focus on. I liked the tilapia ceviche.. heavily peppered but I thought it was tasty. I really like the fact that they have some healthy options on the menu. I got the grilled tilapia which I thought was delicious, especially for a semi-fast food joint. I also got the health nut side option. The health nut gives you quinoa, black beans, and baked plantains as a side, plus some plantain chips with your meat/fish. I love that they have quinoa here which is one of my favorite sides I also thought the black beans were delicious and the plantains were cooked perfectly. I was very impressed with my meal. It was a bit pricey for lunch but I got fish and 3 sides for $12. I would have spent that much had I gone to 5 Seasons, which is right across the parking lot. I will definitely back to try there yucca fries and chicken skewers.
-For you vegans and non-gluten eaters the menu says all entrees are dairy free, sides and veggies are vegan friendly, and most menu items gluten free. Also says tofu and veggies cooked away from meats and chicken.

http://fuegomundo.com/
The PRADO
5590 Roswell RoadSuite A120
Sandy Springs, GA 30342
Tel: 404-256-4330

Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy

"If you define cowardice as running away at the first sign of danger, screaming and tripping and begging for mercy, then yes, Mr. Brave man, I guess I'm a coward."
-Jack Handy

Deeee-lcious Mushroom Shrimp

I am not going to bore you to tears with any pointless chatter today, so I am going to get straight to the point. No pictures either. Sucks I know. Maybe I will come back and re-post with pics whenever I get around to making this dish again. Its super easy and super quick and very tatsty and... I got nothing. My mom always made this recipe when my bro and I were young and she had shrimp. I remember sitting and peeling the shrimp with her at the table. You do what you gotta do when you want some skrimps in yo' belly. On to the recipe:

Ingredients
-1/2 lb shrimp per person. Lets just 2 lbs
-1 pkg mushrooms, sliced ( I prefer the button variety for this)
-1/2 cup cooking sherry
-1 8 or 10 oz pkg of sour cream (full fat, semi fat, fat free, they all work)
-1 can of Campbells Cream o'shroom soup
-salt and pepper to taste
- Rice, cooked

Steps
- Boil your shrimp in boiling water until shrimp are pink (do not over boil, should take 4-6 minutes or so)
-put can of soup, sherry, and mushrooms in a small pot and heat slowly. Once boiling and heated through add sour cream and remove from heat. Add salt and pepper now.
-Place shrimp on top of rice and pour sauce over serve.

You can also mix the shrimp, sour cream, sherry, mushrooms, and cream of mushroom soup together in a casserole dish and bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve on rice

Hot Band: Hightide Blues

Heard a nice southern rock band at Summerfest called Hightide Blues. Check them out at their website, free downloads too so you can see if you like the sound. I do. Also I have a big flickr stream that I would love for you to check out as well. Most of my photos are on here and flickr but there might be a few extras there. I have tons more pictures but I try and hide the ugliest from you guys because I don't want y'all to think I have no skillz at all. And I do got skillz, major ones. Too hot fo' you too even handle. What, what ( shrugging my shoulders up and down and making a grimace)!!! Wow, I think some of my former ghetto just poured out onto my blog. Sorry for that. Every once in awhile I just can't hold back the shaquonda in me. So anyways moral of the story is check out Hightide and my flickr stream. Oh and I forgot to mention another band that was hot at Summerfest on Sunday. That band would be Ponderosa and I dug'em.

Slacking

I am slacking. In case you can't tell the amount of posts I am putting out are slim to none. Why you ask? Because I am LAZY! I am going to try and be better though. Try being the operative word. Today I am going to post a couple more pictures. Pictures that move me or just pictures that move. LOL I try and only post my good pictures, but if you see some crap ones let me know and I will be sure and delete. Just kidding: I don't listen to nobody kid.

Pics below of chill-daddy car seen in Defunk-niac FL (Thats what I like to call it anyways and since it's my blog, I am going to call it that.)

Half-sunken boat in the Destin Harbor. So sad and lonely.

I want

I want, I want, I want.....a cow! I love cows and though they may shit on themselves on occasion, they are still kick ass animals that need loving. When I grow up I plan on owning a farm and on that farm I am going to have cows, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, spiders (got a have'em), and perhaps a kangaroo. Speaking of animals, I was watching Deep Impact (the action flick with Morgan Freeman, not the porn flick that I am sure exists out there with the same name) and noticed that when letting people in the bunker they also had animals outside being shipped in 2x2 like it was the ark. Matter of fact, I think they might have been calling the place the ARK Project.. who knows, I wasn't that in to the movie. Now I am going to let you know that a breeding pair of animals, does not a species make. Does that even make sense? Basically, every species has to have a certain number of members in its group that are able to reproduce and are close enough. If all members can't reproduce or members are separated with no possible way to reproduce then they are considered functionally extinct. Also only having 2 animals to carry on the genes of the species will lead to inbreeding depression which will allow members to become more susceptible to different kinds of disease. Blah, blah, blah right? Just trying to say this whole 2x2 animal theory is bull crap. Anyways, I want a cow but have no where to put it in my 1 bedroom, 650 sq ft apartment. Anyone want to buy a girl a farm?