What A Week

Last week Corban got sick, and then I got sick, so now I am behind on school work (after missing all my classes last week) and nursing the remains of a sore throat. Bleh.

I do, however, have a few success stories to share. First of all is Xenu, which I painted forever and a day ago, and just have not gotten posted to the blog till now. A nice addition to the Deities collection, I like to think.

Next is a new style I'm working on and a piece in the Fire Fly v Lightning Bug collection (please ignore the crappy photography).

I'm actually really liking this style...we'll see what comes of it.

Next we have Chicken with Indian Spices and Yogurt. Corban really liked it while I thought it to be a big fantastic MEH. I don't really like Indian cuisine, though.

And then, Poached Garlic Chicken. I *heart* garlic.

This week I'm departing from my usual meat and potatoes to try a couple Mexican-style dishes (Chicken Enchilladas and Pollo Rellenos)! I also got some more fresh peppers from my dad's garden, so I will be making another fabulous stew.

That is all for now; I must go and make a least a half-hearted attempt at caring about my homework.

Chelle

Mmmmm, Fall

Autumn is the best.

I have several success stories from my cooking this week. The contestants are as follows:

Stir Fried Chicken with Cauliflower (I know that nobody likes it, but I heart cauliflower)

Parmesan Risotto with Mushrooms (a lovely vegetarian option for dinner)

German Apple Cake (made from a recipe given to me by my Mamaw Thacker)

And the winner is...GERMAN APPLE CAKE! Dingdingding. De-licious!

Since we've finally gotten to some good stew weather, I finally feel justified in continuing to cook my stewy goodness. This weekend I want to try Chicken and Garlic Stew...because nothing in this world is better than garlic. I've also planned an Indian-flavored dish, which should be an interesting new genre for me.

New Top Chef tonight! Much more important than homework, for sure.

Chelle Lynn

Fail and Fun

This weekend had a bit of both.

Fail:

1. Making two terrible dishes (overcooked Beef Stir Fry and bland Lemon-Mustard Chicken)

2. Wiping out after Oktoberfest and now sporting several attractive scrapes and bruises...

3. Therefore interrupting my up-to-this-point diligent work out routine

Fun:

1. Drinking beer and Polka dancing at Oktoberfest whilst wearing a very stylish German hat

2. Beating Castle Crashers with my one and only

(I was the green character, he was the blue)

3. Making a tasty Traditional Beef Stew (slow. cookers. ROCK.)

This week will be spent completing all the Castle Crasher achievements, endeavoring to cook mostly edible dishes, and all but completely ignoring my school work. I will update later on my success in these matters.

Chelle Lynn

Top Chef Makes Me Hungry

It is on right now and I'm about to start noming on some sour cream and onion potato chips.

A few days ago, I found this jewelry shop on etsy that is full of absolute hotness. I can't stop online window browsing their store! Behold, the amazing Artisan Impact!

Check out their store here and here. So many unique and interesting pieces that I would like to own. Perhaps it is time for a present from me to me?

Tangent: is this not the freaking most amazing proposal ever? I think that this was one of the Post Secret post cards a while back, and I just rediscovered the file in my mess of a pictures folder.

I think that I might combust if I do not find some dessert immediately. Hopefully I will have some culinary success stories to share next week!

Inside Out/Upside Down

Just got back from my four-hour-long sojourn at the Boardwalk Volkwagon dealership, awaiting the repair of my right tail-light. The outcome: $500 poorer and half of Next of Kin completed for Animal Communication class. It wouldn't have been so bad except the part where I had to eat at the nearby Springcreek Barbeque for lunch. Epic Gross. The book was really engaging, despite the gigantic TV in the waiting room blaring talk shows and soap operas. I'm eager to get to the second half and learn about Fouts' altruistic work for ape rights recognition. Grateful as I am for the opportunity to sit and read for several hours, I do have to say that if anything else goes wrong with my car this year, I just might have to take a sledge hammer to it and be done with the whole thing. Maybe buy a motorcycle...tour the country side.

In happier news, I saw the most glorious rainbow on my way home from school yesterday.

Yes, I was taking photos while driving. Yes, this is probably quite dangerous. No, I do not care.

I also have a couple cooking success stories of...get this...my own recipes! They are not very impressive, but I am quite proud of them, so ignore my appalling photography and admire my accomplishments.

My patented NOM Cookies. You will not find this recipe on the back of any chocolate morsel package.

And, Beef Stew made from fresh peppers from my dad's garden! This was my first time to try the Crockpot, and let me tell you, I am a believer.

I have gotten sadly behind on my comic, but I don't hear any of you complaining, so meh. Anyway, I'm posting one today. Read it...don't read it...I'm not your mother.

Mosquitoes are pretty annoying. I think most of you will agree with me.

Chelle Lynn

Graduation Anxiety

There is way too much to do before next Monday, when my graduation application is due. I am at stress level midnight.

However, someone got me flowers!

It's the little things, right?

Also, I haven't been cooking as much as I would like, but here are a few of the recent success stories. You will notice that there is NOT a photo of a Coq Au Vin. That's because it was absolutely nasty. I was so sad. Presently I am putting off going to the grocery store to get what I need for a beef stew tomorrow that I'm making with fresh veggies from my dad's garden! I'm so excited!

Chicken and Artichoke Sauté

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Kiev

Man, what is up with all this chicken? I need to get some red meat up in here!

Chelle

Blogging when I should by studying...

...also, there is a glass of Chardonnay just inches from my left hand. I am a terrible, terrible student.

I find myself questioning my art/talent/business sense/motivation. Doubt, as it were. I am a lousy student, even at subjects that interest me, possibly because of my complete and utter contempt for the school system in general. My Animal Communication prof asked us if we think that grades are part of a "reward" system, and if so, are they effective? It was nice to get my feelings out. The American public school systems in general produce very good test-takers, and unfortunately, it is such talents that are rewarded most, even at the university level. We jump through hoops and get the A, but at what cost to ourselves? What sort of knowledge are we missing out on? Even so, I'm not sure where my painting business is going, if it's going, or more to the point, if I have the business sense to keep it up. We shall see, se shall see.

Anywho, I want to direct your attention to a fabulous etsy store that I just discovered called Clear Mountain Craft.

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful pottery that I wish I could afford. One of these days we will move to our mountain fortress and I will have all kinds of awesome pottery. Complete with coarse blankets depicting the rising Phoenix and lots of turquoise jewelry. I actually do really want this piece.

How pretty is that!? I will totally be able to buy jewelry one day...one day.

I know you other college students get this. Especially those with degree plans as silly as mine. I mean, really, Michelle, English literature? Because that's totally useful for, you know, getting a job and such. Not. I am actually getting really excited about my linguistics classes and would love to study second language acquisition. Now, there is something useful.

So early in the day and already running so late! I must fly.

*Edit: The Chardonnay was from last night. I am not a total lush!*

Chelle