Home-made Fried Chicken

As part of my cooking spree I decided to try my hand at fried chicken. I had tried an oven baked fried chicken before which was yummy, but I wanted to go for REAL fried chicken this time. So I did. =) 

Fried in oil

Creamed corn

Creamed corn, green beans, and fried chicken.

marginalia

"I am willing to try anything more than once." -Robert Farrar Capon in his book The Supper of the Lamb

"It was God who invented dirt, onions and turnip greens; God who invented human beings, with their strange compulsion to cook food; God who at the end of each day of creation, pronounced a resounding "Good!" over his own concoctions. And it is God's unrelenting love of all the stuff of this world that keeps it in being at every moment. So, if we are fascinated, even intoxicated, by matter, it is no surprise: we are made in the image of the Ultimate Materialist." -ibid.

"Technique must be acquired, and, with technique, a love of the very processes of cooking. No artist can work simply for results; he must also like the work of getting them." -ibid.

"Man's real work is to look at the things of the world and to love them for what they are. That is, after all, what God does, and man was not made in God's image for nothing." -ibid.

~~~
ibid.- in the same source (used to save space in textual references to a quoted work that has been mentioned in a previous reference)

tumescent- pompous or pretentious; tumid

cauterize- burn the skin or flesh of (a wound) with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from becoming infected

redolent- strongly reminiscent or suggestive of (something); fragrant or sweet smelling

solipsism- the view or theory that the self is all the can be known to exist

auspicious- conducive to success; characterized by success

maderization- a form of oxidation that gives white wine a brownish color and caramelized flavor like that of Madeira

ferial- denoting an ordinary weekday, as opposed to one appointed for a festival or fast

aphorism- a pithy observation that contains a general truth; a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author

spook- n. a ghost; a spy
- v. to frighten or unnerve

Ah, spring!

Here are a few pictures from around our house. Flowers play a big part in making it feel like spring around here.  The first one is from the patio. 

This year the front porch has carnations and geraniums and smells delicious.

Here is the first rose of the season.  It is from one of the plants that Caity put in last year. She added four new plants this year.  All last summer we had a continuous supply of roses on our table, hopefully we will again this year. 

~dîner dehors~

Tonight the freshman reserved West of Paris, a fancy French restaurant that occupies a corner of the NSA school building. About 45 of the 60 1st year classmate attended. One of the girls who I have gotten to know offered to lend me one of her formal dresses for the night--and of course I jumped on the offer!


the dress =)


me


my handsom date






everyone had a personalized place card


the menu- I actually have a copy of this to scrapbook!


Salade de fromage de chévre frais aux croútons á l'ail (mixed greens topped with fresh goat cheese and garlic croutons)


Canard á la Marseillaise; flambé in Marseillais Pastis liquor (roasted duckling filet served with an orange reduction) -yes I went for something other than chicken, and I liked it! I also ate a WHOLE shrimp at the beginning of the meal.


a light raspberry mouse with whipped cream and a delicious mint leaf (the palate cleanser)


Chocolate Mint Créme Brúlée


lots of talking and laughing and picture taking between courses


most of the freshmen girls and me

I actually get to cook! =D

Caity has been gone for a week and a day...which is almost like forever and a day, but none-the-less, there is one and only ONE nice thing about her absence. I have gotten more time to cook. Caity, the master of coming up with a plan for a meal, typically gets in the kitchen before I have a chance. This past week I made blueberry muffins, beef stroganoff, coffee cakes with Momma, Mother's Day dinner, and I'm about to go make dinner. 

Mother's day we had salmon (which Daddy grilled); a roasted potato, pepper, carrot, onion dish; fruit salad; a cranberry/spinach salad (Mom made that) and cheese cake. It was such a delicious meal (no, I'm not bragging) and we were honored to have Momma's parents celebrate the day. I finally made a great cheesecake, but my next goal is to figure out how to keep my cheese cake from cracking...any tips? 

MOSCOW part2

just to whet your appetite



right when you walk in:


studying niches just past the counter where you order your tea, coffee, scone, or other delicacy


the Ball and Cross (bookstore)

all the books are for sale, but are also available for anyone to come in and browse/read through

books line the loft too



a vanilla frapé that Curtis and I shared

some of the beans

One of the girls I met is actually getting to turn the burlap sacks the beans come in, into messenger bags to be sold in the coffee shop!

MOSCOW part1

Tyndale Library

The library is full of old and used books. I didn't see one that looked completely new or had the stiff and sticky cover that most books from the public library have. The door at the end leads out to the classrooms and Student Commons.


This is one of the study areas in the library. It is the biggest and about in the middle.

Most of the houses are very unique, either with brightly colored siding and trim, interesting architecture, and/or flower gardens. Tulips, Daffodils, and Grape Hyacinth are the most common flowers (I've even seen some that look like they are growing wild--in the midst of bushes and the cracks of the side walk!).


Everything is green and growing in Moscow!















A Methodist Church we passed as we walked to school today.


This was actually a house on the side of a main street down town.


I've never seen a red and yellow tulip before!

Odds and Ends

My puppy, Mandy, ought to be the poster dog for the saying, "looks can be deceiving." 

This sweet little creature enjoys chewing the following: shoes, socks, rubber bands, tissues, trash, hair ties, clothes, plastic bags, Caity's camera case, wood in any shape and size, and......

Yep, toilet paper....*sigh* I left her in the bathroom like I usually do when she sleeps or I just need to get somethings accomplished. Well, this is what I found when I went in...

Soooo! I decided to see how long I could keep her busy....

Also, on a different note, I saw this really neat centipede scurry across the floor tonight as I was washing dishes. My brave Mother smashed him. =) 

Well, that's about it for now. Over an' out. =)

Safely Through Another Week

I am pretty much all packed up now; all that's left is my computer and charger. Daddy and I are off to the airport early in the morning and then I depart to Salt Lake City -- on my first flight alone. The second leg of my trip will take me to Spokane, where Curtis will meet me. =)

Safely through another week
God has brought us on your way;
Let us now a blessing seek,
Waiting in his courts today;
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest:
Day of all the week the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.

While we pray for pard'ning grace,
Through the dear Redeemer's Name,
Show they reconciled face;
Take away our sin and shame;
From our worldly cares set free,
May we rest this day in Thee,
From our worldly cares set free,
May we rest this day in Thee.

Here we come thy Name to praise,
Let us feel they presence near;
May thy glory meet our eyes,
While we in thy house appear:
Here afford us, Lord a taste
Of our everlasting feast,
Here afford us, Lord a taste
Of our everlasting feast.

May thy gospel's joyful sound
Conquer sinners, comfort saints;
May the fruits of grace abound,
Bring relief for all complaints:
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove,
Till we join the church above,
Thus may all our Sabbaths prove,
Till we join the church above.
Amen

Yesterday I used purple cabbage for a science experiment, but, as always, I only needed a couple leaves. I hate to waste food like that, so I searched online for a recipe. I found one! Green leaf lettuce, purple cabbage, blueberries, mango, pecans, and a homemade raspberry vinaigrette.



Some flowers are starting to bloom! This is a white and purple iris.