Ok, I'm going to attempt to cook.

Inspired by the fabulous Sarah Keiski's blog - showing me how easy it can be to be a bad-ass in the kitchen, along with juggling a bzillion things (career, husband, having amazing style, social life, etc). I decided to do something with my afternoon off (no class because of MLK Jr day).

Ok Sarah, I gave it a whirl!!

Turkey Stuffed Zucchini
4 medium zucchini
1 tsp butter
1/2 small onion, finely diced (I love onion, so I used the whole thing)
1 shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 oz white wine
1.25Lbs ground turkey
1 large egg white
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup fat free chicken broth
2 TBSP seasoned bread crumbs (I used croutons)
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chopped FRESH rosemary (really does make the difference)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp dried basil
salt and pepper to taste
- Oven 400*F
- slice your zucchini long ways and scoop out centers, leaving the sides sturdy enough to hold the turkey you'll be stuffing. KEEP THE CENTERS!!
- in large saucepan melt butter over med-high heat and add onions, shallots and garlic; cook until onions are clear (2-4min)
- add the zucchini centers and a pinch of salt (2-4min)
- add wine, cook until it reduces
- add turkey and salt and pepper
- once turkey is cooked through, add paprika, rosemary, garlic powder, marjoram, dried basil and additional salt and pepper (if you so desire)
- let cook additional few minutes, mix well!!
- take turkey mix into a bowl and allow to cool (not all the way, but enough that it's not steaming)
- add egg white and Parmesan cheese - MIX WELL!!
- put chicken broth in bottom of pan, place zucchini in pan and stuff firmly!!
- sprinkle with breadcrumbs
- cover tightly with foil and bake for 35-40 min.

hollowed zucchini - they almost laid nicely in my pan.

Ahhh, wish you could smell this - it's amazing!!

stuffed and dusted with croutons.

Now, we wait...

Bam!! This has made my apartment smell AMAZING!!!!

Ok, it's absolutely delicious!! The zucchini is the perfect texture, which I'm guessing is thanks to the chicken broth. The turkey is perfectly seasoned, although my palette would enjoy more onions!! Now my cons, and I'm hoping a more experienced cook can give me some advice.
First, I want the breadcrumbs (or croutons) to be more crunchy. Maybe if I actually used breadcrumbs it would be. Also, cheese!! I am not a huge fan of cheese, but if something gooey-ooey and melty was on top of this bad boy, BAM!! A nice plain pasta would be complimentary.
Well, I hope I did 'ya proud Keiski!! Maybe I'll try again on my next day off from school.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
— Martin Luther King Jr.

Fantastically Female

I got great girlfriends. Thanks for a cool night out ladies. XOXO

hanging out at Space Room.

Killer, Keely and I at Space Room.

I got you back today...

My days have been a little longer since you've been gone. I never thought I'd miss your stinky face or the way your tiny body made it feel like I was sleeping next to a 300 pound man. You were just the greatest little guy, Bud. I'll remember you always, think of you fondly often and never forget how lucky I was to be your Momma all these years.

Preach

Word.

No Pants MAX Ride 2011

Yup, that time of year again. Us Portlanders, along with MANY others around the WORLD but New York and Chicago and are the big ones in the USA - we ride the local public transportation (MAX, streets cars, subways, etc) without pants. Why? Because it's stupid fun!!! No Pants MAX Ride.

Prep at home - a little self tanner lotion.

The lovebirds, Adam and Killer, at the starting post: Lloyd Center MAX Station.

Me with the amazing Holly at the starting post.



PANTS OFF!!

No pants on the MAX.

More pantsless Portlanders on the MAX.

The lovebirds outside Yamhill Pub.

The girls outside Yamhill Pub: Stephanie, Olya, Katie and myself.

The appreciative worker at Borders.

The girls: Olya, Stephanie, Katie and myself.

The group of pantsless Portlanders at Yamhill Pub.

The group of pantsless Portlanders at Pioneer Square.



The after party or the "Dance Off, Pants Off" at Blitz. Katie, Stephanie, Olya and Adam.

I think Adam says it best here:





Dancing!! Stephanie, me and Olya.

MAX ride home... still no pants.

We cannot wait till next year.

You died on a Thursday...

I cannot express the connection I always have had with dogs. I didn't make friends easily as a child, hell, as an adult even. Buddy came into my life in the most peculiar way. He was owned by my mother's neighbor during those very difficult years where my mother and I had a very volatile relationship. This neighbor was abusive towards him and my mother rescued him. She gave him to my father. Instantly Buddy bonded with my dog, Sophie. They were boyfriend-girlfriend - till the end.

I gave Buddy the birth date of April 8th, 1995 - after the vet estimated his age, I made April 8th his birth day because that's the day we got him - in 2003.
The longest we've been apart is 6 days.

Being a dog owner gives you a sense of responsibility, humanity and brings such joy to your life.

Dear Buddy,
I am sorry I don't have a yard to bury you in. I very much wish I did, so I could visit you from time to time. I had such big plans to make us, the three Musketeers, me, you and Phia, a real family by my mid-twenties, but it just didn't work out, did it? We did have it for awhile. I gave you a true pack, with the addition of Rena and I got you a Daddy that loved you and took you into that special place in a humans' heart that only the truly special canines can touch.

During the worst of it, my early twenties and with everything that happened - Amjad, Lennea, the moving, the wrong guys, the wrong friends, my depression, the not getting the breaks I so desperately wanted - auditions, more auditions, rejection. Lonely times, the extremely broke times - you were always my little guy to come home to. Watching you run on the beach, you feeling the most exquisite joy of freedom when I took you off the leash, making friends, chasing your ball - you brought me peace. You centered me. I was your Momma. You gave me a purpose!!


I'm so thankful you had Andrew as your Daddy. I spoke with him tonight. He loves you and wishes you a sweet goodbye.

I am thankful for the cuddles, the way you touched so many other peoples' lives - between friends, family and loved ones that are no longer with us - you were truly everybody's Buddy.

I know you're in doggy heaven. It's a beach, it's perfect weather, you are young and strong - there are bunny rabbits for you to play with, endless amounts of squeaky balls and Big Momma Sasha, Baxter and all the other friends you made along the way. They've been waiting for your sweet smile and the gentle way you play.

This is the last footage I took of Buddy, just hours before making the hardest decision to end his life.





RIP Buddy Love I LOVE YOU MY BO-BO MAN!!