AliThinks

Blogging Will Be Light

...because it's, like, summer the weekend here and I'm not getting paid to write this crap I have about a billion things I'd rather be doing. To tide you over, because I'm generous that way (and YES, I know I haven't answered your comment about my being old), here's a little exchange between Allan and me:

Me: (calling from kitchen) Hey Allan? I hate to tell you this.

Allan: What?

Me: You're going to have to marry me.

Allan: Why? Because you rock?

[OK, I'll give you a minute to stop retching]

Me: Yep. I rock, because I just made MAYONNAISE!

I've known how to make mayo for years. I've just never done it. But I figure if I can emulsify mustard, vinegar, salt, and oil into a vinaigrette (merci, J.), I can make mayonnaise.

I will have to keep working at it, though. My mayo was very yellow, and I don't know if that's because of the beautiful farm eggs I used, or a lack of oil.

Anyway, I have Michael Ruhlman to thank for the inspiration. Click that link. Donna Turner Ruhlman's photos are beautiful.
 

Of Course, I Can't Be THAT Old.

Because we just got in from seeing Blind Melon at The Dame.

The band still rocks, and the singer they chose to replace Shannon Hoon (RIP) is really a perfect match. I'm impressed.

I. Am Old.

We have Sirius satellite radio in the car, and mostly listen to the first five presets we programmed: Classic Vinyl, Classic Rewind, The Vault, The Spectrum, and First Wave. Having come of age in the 80s, I'm partial to First Wave, but after that, Classic Vinyl is my favorite channel.

Today I had to drive somewhere (gasp!). Imagine my surprise while listening to REM's "The One I Love" to find out I was listening to Classic Vinyl.

REM. Classic Rock. Does. Not. Compute.

Then I wrapped my brain around it, and suddenly felt very, very old.

Cascade Rosemary

Cascade Rosemary, originally uploaded by Alison.

This afternoon I planted some herbs we bought the other day into hanging "baskets." The rosemary seems to be best suited for the situation. It's already living up to its name.

In the rosemary planter, I also put chives and lime thyme. (Can I get a hoo-rah for assonance?)

Heheh, she said "ass."

In the other pot I planted cilantro, lime basil, and tarragon.

Yes, I have a thing for lime. I put the dill and spearmint in their own separate pots.

I've already made a chive vinaigrette, and I've got mint water chilling in the fridge. Here's to a summer full of fresh food and fresh herbs!

Indiana Jones And The Bla Bla Of The Bla Bla Bla

...is very fun.

I'm a HUGE fan of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade (Temple of Doom, not so much), and I was quite worried that this would be overkill. Not to mention lame.

I can safely recommend it. You'll laugh, you'll cheer, you'll jump in your seat, you'll grit your teeth. Lather, rinse, repeat.

And you'll Indiana Jones.

(And that's all I'm saying. No spoilers, no analysis, no deep commentary. I ain't Pauline Kael, people.)

(Also, forgive the animated gif, but that's as good a way to express it as any.)

Finally! Part 2

My boyfriend Harrison Ford has a new movie coming out today, and WE'RE GOING TO SEE IT TONIGHT!

I now direct you here* for a little history about the thrilling "Raiders March" by John Williams. We played this in concert band** in high school, and I got goosebumps. every. time.

*a tip of my fedora to drjonboyg

**yes, I was in band. Shut up. I wasn't in marching band.

Finally!

Today I get to vote!

That's all I have to say about that.

EDIT: I know Hillary Clinton is going to trounce Barack Obama in Kentucky. I am interested in seeing the geographical breakdown of the votes, though.

RE-EDIT: No surprise. Clinton takes Appalachia; Obama takes the metro areas.

I Should Have Blogged About This A Long Time Ago

Last week we picked up our first CSA share of the season. You may have already seen Allan's post about it; go there to see the bounty.

We've still got food. Tonight we're grilling the last of the asparagus, and we still have a pound of ground beef in the freezer. Wednesday we'll pick up our next share.

I don't mean to imply that we've only eaten the CSA food since last Wednesday; we've eaten a couple of meals out, and there was only one meal that was completely composed of CSA food.

What I do want to say is how good the food is. And it was produced less than 20 miles from where we live. Can you say locavore?

While the initial investment might seem hefty, I think it's worth it for the quality of the food. Add in the lower cost of transport, the lower fuel expenditure, the fact that it's organic (and the meat is raised humanely), and it's a win-win-win thing.

And I should have blogged about it two or three months ago, so that you could get in on a CSA share in your area.

I Have Backup!

In case you didn't believe me:

Vive la différence: dispelling French myths

The French say “Ooh-la-la” a lot

Indeed they do, but not as we imagine they do. First, they say it quite quickly, as one word (with a long first syllable, a long third syllable and a rapid “la” in the middle), not slowly and as three separate words, as we tend to parody them. Second, it is not necessarily, or even usually, an expostulation of delighted surprise at some frothily extravagant naughtiness. It is used much more often to indicate that one is impressed — by anything at all: a fine coq-au-vin, a particularly crunchy rugby tackle or the extent of the damage to someone else’s car. Quite how the phrase acquired its salacious overtones in our minds, I’m not sure. Certainly not from the French. Unlike us, they aren’t surprised by sex. Nudity (indeed, porn) on television, whores on country roads, adultery in high places: they’re all just part of the landscape.

From The Telegraph, hat tip to SuperFrenchie.

Also, I ate foie gras and a salade de gésiers confits for dinner, but that's another story.

In Which I Am Clearly Out Of Practice At Making Videos

 

 

What April Showers Bring

Deux Tulipes, originally uploaded by Alison.

What Does It Mean?

Last night I had a dream in which I met the two remaining Democratic candidates for president.

In a bathroom. Each.

I met Hillary in a women's room at a large public gathering. My hands were wet (from water, not pee!) but she shook one anyway. And she knew who I was and where I lived.

Then I found my son in the crowd (random!) and took him to the men's room. And went inside. (What? My son is 10. Old enough to go alone.)

Barack Obama was sitting in a stall, not doing anything but hanging out. We had a nice chat while my son peed.

Usually I'm loathe to share dreams here, because y'all, I don't want to read about YOUR dreams on your blog. But this one deserved a mention, don'tcha think?

While We Wait For My Zit To Subside...

(you know, so I can make the let's-hold-our-breath-ooh-la-la video you've been on the edge of your seats for)

...while we wait for that to happen (hello, zit, come to a head already!), let me direct you to my friend AndreAnna's other blog, Chop. Stir. Mix.

She and the other founder of C.S.M. (ooh, sounds almost like a band, doesn't it?), Cass, have started a contest. They're giving away some sweet kitchen schwag from Crate & Barrel (and more, if you help promote the contest), and all you have to do is leave a comment to this entry. Of course, if you actually read the entry, you'll increase your chances!

I entered the contest by leaving a comment with my worst kitchen disaster, which I documented on my long-defunct blog AliGator. And although I did mention that I don't need any kitchen crap stuff, I'm happy to promote the contest for an extra chance to win - because I will donate the prize if I am the winner. So go leave comments. If I don't win, you might!

Anticipation

I'll make an ooh-la-la video, but not today. It's Derby Day. And I have a huge zit on my face.

Vanity trumps, folks.

Well.

I'm thinking I might have to make a video about my last post. You know, in which I demonstrate the use of the comment-inciting phrase I mentioned.

Qu'en pensez-vous?