A short break

I realize it's been awhile since I last wrote. I took a short break to get the virtual recipe box I mentioned last time up and in order - and I'm really proud of how it's coming out! I'm enjoying having a cataloged process, as well as pictures of the dishes I've made. Don't get me wrong, I'm not making any attempt to be a food stylist or photographer, but it's nice to have a sort of photo index card to remind myself how much I enjoyed a dish. Knowing that other people will see the results has also helped keep me on a healthy and nutritious track with my shopping. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun shopping for or drooled so much over groceries! Here are the results of my latest run:

It was something to be proud of as it went down the conveyor belt - and rang up at just over $90, which for the quality (all from Whole Foods), is great. There's basil, ciliegine mozzarella, shiitake mushrooms, dried cranberries, and, my new favorite, Yummy Bears, which are gelatin free! I'm loving my meals, and losing weight! :-D

Just today, Mike and I had melt-in-your-mouth pancakes for breakfast, hummus (the results of my Friday morning efforts, which was delicious! I like it thick, and it took quite a bit of messing with until I got it how I like it.) for lunch, and a summery fusilli alla caprese with four styles of crunchy sweet potato fries for Sunday dinner. As I write this, I'm enjoying a blood orange walnut sugar cookie, fresh out of the oven. You can find all the recipes (and pictures, of course!) in the vegetarian recipe box. Except for the pancakes - that you'll find on the back of the Bisquick box, haha.

I'm responsible for bringing the food for Tuesday night's small group meeting, and I've gotten very excited about it. I'm bringing the homemade hummus and chips, plain and blood orange walnut sugar cookies (mentioned above), and Thai vegetable lettuce wraps. I love that I have an excuse to try out some new recipes, and we all get to enjoy a meal and discussion with friends and loved ones. I'll be sure to post some pictures when I get them!

I hope you're all enjoying the start of your summer as much as I am! I'll have to catch you up on the summer of science before too long. Til then...

Decidedly done with finals

So far the only grade to roll in is Soil Chemistry -- and I got an A! Oooh my goodness I haven't made an A in a chemistry class since high school, and I think that was an A-. Yeehaw! Now keep me out of soil science. ;)

I finished my GIS project early this morning, the results of which can be found here. I have put a lot of time and effort into that class, and am proud of the knowledge I have gained, as well as my final project, the topic of which (Identifying Subsoil Carbon Sequestration Sites in North Carolina) was chosen as a gift to my Soil Chemistry professor, Dean Hesterberg.

I was so inspired by the ease of Google Sites that I decided to make my own little personal portfolio, in the form of a recipe box! I mean, why should the world not have access to what I cook and eat? Virtually everything else I do is available in one online forum or another - Facebook, SparkPeople, Twitter, Blogspot, Xanga, Myspace... shall I go on?

Anyhow, if you're looking for a yummy recipe (or, more likely, you're Leslie seeing what I'll subject you to in four months, or my parents, making sure that I'm not kept alive by a Chinese takeout box), check out my new site, Southern With a Twist! Many updates to come, I'm sure!

Crayon Art and DWTS

How neat is this? Carved Crayons My favorites are Rind, Honey and Diamelle.

And now... time to vote, ladies. Which one revs your engine more - the stud or the cowboy?

Gilles' rumba or Ty's salsa Oh my stars...