Archive for May, 2009

Like Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

On Tuesday night, I went to the gym expecting my regular yoga class. As it turned out, the teacher was out and the substitute wasn’t a yoga teacher. She’s a Pilates instructor, and she teaches a yoga-Pilates fusion class as well, which is what we got on Tuesday.

As it turns out, combining yoga and Pilates isn’t nearly as good an idea as it sounds. I’ve done both and liked them, but the combination is just confusing. The class doesn’t flow, and I have no idea what to do with my breathing. I stayed for the entire class, but only because it’s extremely poor gym etiquette to walk out in the middle. Especially if you’re in the front row.

After the class, I spoke to the instructor for a little while.

It turns out that she doesn’t think all that much of the Pilates-yoga combo either.

Things We Have Been Too Busy Doing To Write About…This Time

Friday, May 22nd, 2009

1. Taught 2 weekly yoga classes for the local community education program rather than the expected 1, in the session that just ended. Other teacher had a serious of personal tragedies that prevented her from teaching this time.

2. Multiple projects at work peaking and/or experiencing problems simultaneously. Usually, I need 100% of a tech writer for 4 weeks in one area. This month, I needed about 400% of a tech writer for one week. These are NOT equivalent!

3. Spouse has nearly completed the bathroom—it’s usable, but we still need to drop in the floor transition and register cover, and hang the art and towel bar—but he was distracted by…

4. Ripping out all the trees and shrubs that were planted too close to the house, and dealing with the mess that the new septic system made of a sizeable piece of our backyard. Also, by planting loads of hostas (thanks to our friends who brought them to us) and by 12 cubic yards of much, about half of which still remains to be spread.

5. Co-hosting a baby shower for the harpist in the band that played our wedding.

6. Both of us spending most of this week with nasty, digestive-system distress for unknown reasons.

7. Getting ready to be out of town for a couple of weekends; one graduation and one legal conference.

8. Deciding whether or not Michael is going to re-side the house this summer. If we don’t do it this year, we will absolutely have to do it next year.

9. Having an AWESOME birthday week (thanks so much to all who made it great by showing up)!

We had managed not to make much in the way of plans for this coming weekend, which is a Good Thing. I’m spending a few hours at CitYoga for a lecture and class by Seane Corn, and Spouse is helping a friend with a drywall problem.

Next up will be our first anniversary and Spouse’s birthday. So, likely again with the too busy doing to write about it.

Telling It Like It Is

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

“…Days of Thunder, Speed Racer…I see films so you don’t have to.”

WFYI Film Critic Matthew Socey

Duck & Mushroom Salad

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

Salads being a rather freeform sort of food, your quantities are sure to vary even within the normal range one would expect for the number of people being served. Spouse & I could’ve happily devoured seconds, had I made enough, which I did not.

That’s the long explanation for the sketchy measurements below.

If you are the sort of resourceful person who keeps duck fat around the house, now is the time to break it out. I had a good day last time I made duck, having remembered both a) to save the duck fat, and b) to save a good jar to put it in.

Saute assorted sliced mushrooms (I had a mix of portobello, oyster, and shiitake; adjust to your own taste) in duck fat, if you have also had a good day in the recent past, or olive oil if you haven’t.

While you’re waiting for the mushrooms to cook, slice up one green onion per person, both white and green parts, and set aside.  You’ll also want to slice up one duck breast per person at this point.

When the mushrooms are almost cooked, add some diced shallots and cook until they are golden-brown. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add the sliced duck and cook until done in the same pan that you used to cook the mushrooms.

While you’re waiting for the duck to cook, put a generous handful of mixed salad greens (I used a baby lettuce assortment) onto each plate.

When the duck is nearly done, deglaze the pan with a generous amount of balsamic vinegar, and add your mushrooms and shallots back in. You may wish to add a little salt to taste at this point as well. 

Turn the duck and mushrooms out onto the salad plates, dividing it up as you see fit. Top with the green onions.

Unhelp Desk

Friday, May 8th, 2009

A: What is Microsoft Works?

Me: An oxymoron.