Oh, Christmas tree, oh, Christmas tree...

Last year at this time Portland was buried in snow, my flight had just gotten cancelled and rescheduled for 5 days later, and I was in the start of a much-needed 2 week vacation from work. The times...they are a'changing....

I've got two jobs that totally 14-19 hours a week and no snow in sight. I'm going to Florida (aka home) the end of January with my sister and brother-in-law and very much look forward to the (Lord willing, since a couple years ago I went in January and there was a COLD SPELL!) warm sunshine..and, you know, friends and family. 

I have been pondering going overseas again. I haven't gone to another country (besides Canada) since 2003 when I had lived in Germany for a year and done lots of roaming around. I had been thinking about it, but what really got me thinking of it for real was the book Eat, Pray, Love. I didn't really like this book, but it made me think. I remember when I was in Edinburgh, Scotland and I wrote down in my journal (or a letter...I don't remember...I don't normally journal much though) that I wanted to come back to this city some time and stay a couple months to work and play. I feel like right now is my chance. Technically this summer would've been a smarter time to go.....but right now I still don't have a "real" full time job, I'm not on a lease and I have a friend that could be move into my room while I'm gone. We, along with my roommate, had talked about getting a place together. So hypothetically, we would look for a place when I get back and until we find something, I could live with my sister. She's been wanting me to move back anyways.  :o)    

Does anyone know of any good programs/jobs in Edinburgh or Australia? (I've been thinking of going to Australia since I've never gone and a lot of my friends have and really liked it)

Foodwise: Last night I made 3 adorable small loaves of Pound Cake. I frikkin' love that stuff! When I was younger I would get my mom to buy the Sara Lee frozen pound cake and I would eat the shit out of it. I can't believe that I wasn't fat as a youngin'. I was a bit on the chubby side, but not quite. I ate a lot of veggie-less macaroni salad, hardboiled eggs (including deviled eggs), pound cake, McDonald's and Burger King, trail bologna, cheese, and lots of soda. 

The pound cake I made was from Veganomicon (by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romano). I don't know if I've ever made it exactly as the recipe states. I never have the citrus extracts and rarely do I have the zest needed. I use whatever flavor soy yogurt I have on hand and the first time I made it I didn't have the amount of arrowroot asked for, but it came out good anyways! This time I used Key Lime yogurt that had expired last week. (Previously I've also used cherry....really almost ever flavor would work) I had thought I would give them as small gifts to a couple people so I used my aluminum miny loaf pans Missy had convinced me to buy at Grocery Outlet. They turned out delicious and, dare I say, moist! 

I just have to say, thank God for Isa and Terry! 

who put the thermostat on hell?

Knees and the sky. Taken by me, messed w/by Katie Marggraf

Gosh, it's just ridiculous here. Right now i'm sitting in my apt with my bikini on and a wet bandana around my waist and around my neck. The current temp is 101 and the next 2 days are supposed to hit 104. I am damn glad i will not be here to witness that! Tomorrow i leave for a 2 week "vacation." I'll be flying in to Philly, staying with my friend for a couple days, go to Lancaster for my dad and his twin sister's 60th birthday party, heading to Harrisonburg, Virginia for my friend Amanda's wedding, then to D.C. for a couple days before flying back home. And, man, i just looked at Philly's temps and it looks like it'll be high in the 80s the next several days with thunderstorms possible. Normally, i would be like "rain stay away from my vacation plans" but since it's been so hot and because i don't get to witness very many thunderstorms in these here parts i'm totally fine with it. 

I haven't been making much food. This morning my friend Kenny came over and i made pesto tofu scramble. I loosely used the recipe in Vegan Brunch for the pesto i made. This is the first recipe i ever used that had balsamic vinegar in it. I think it gives it a nice flavor. I used some of the pesto in the scramble then froze the rest in an ice cube tray. (later i put the cubes in a ziplock bag and back in the freezer) Other scramble ingredients: zucchini from the garden, thinly sliced shallots, cremini mushrooms, russet potato (which sadly didn't cook all the way...) and a little jalapeno. I didn't use a recipe for the scramble itself. I thought it turned out pretty well and Kenny had two bowls so apparently he's either a good liar or his claims that it was really good were true.

But, yeah, i haven't been eating well. I just don't feel like cooking in this weather. I don't feel like doing anything except finding a/c or shade and just sit. It makes me wish i had a pool in my backyard. Or one of my friend's backyards. Which actually i suggested to Kenny, he totes has room!

I was wearing a sweater just last Thursday!! It used to be cool in the mornings and then get warm for a couple hours in the afternoon....sigh...those were the days...

Taken by Katie Marggraf

Also, my car was broken into last week. Some -i assume- guy broke my passenger-side back little window (as in, the one that doesn't go down), stole my stereo, took everything out of my glove compartment and seat pockets. My insurance covers that stuff, but i have to pay $100 deductible first. Not cool when i'm unemployed and about to not get unemployment for 2 weeks.....boo.......

I'm bringing my computer and will probably blog while i'm gone and hanging out in new and exciting coffee shops on the East side! Upcoming topics: POM Wonderful and VEGA protein powder....i love free samples......