Ferris Wheel

Tuesday's Tune: Blank Space/Style

I'm really rocking to Taylor Swift's newest song, "Blank Space."  I heard the above mash up of her two songs, Blank Space and Style, and knew that I had to share it on my blog.  I really enjoy listening to well done mash up songs (check this out).

Even if the song wasn't a mash up of two songs, Lousia Wendorff's has done such a great job singing the songs and making them her own.  I really like how she reimagined these songs.

Let me know what you think.

Crocheted Maneki-neko

A close friend has been going through some tough times and I thought I'd crochet her a Maneki-neko. If you've gone into an Asian restaurant, you would've seen Maneki-neko.  Maneki-neko is the Japanese lucky cat, although this symbol has been adopted by many of Chinese and Asian heritage.  (If you want to find out more information about this lucky cat, then go here.)

My friend already has a collection and I felt the need to add to it; hence the inspiration for crocheting the Maneki-neko.  Since it's going to be a new year soon and Maneki-neko is suppose to bring luck, I'm hoping that my figurine will help make her year better and luckier.  I'm almost done with it.  I only need to add details to the face and paw.  I hope she likes it when I gift it to her.

What did you receive this year or hope to give this year for a lucky 2015?

Merry Christmas

This year, I finally decided to decorate my little pine tree.  The lower branches are dried and brown, while the top is green and new.  I don't know how long I'm going to keep this tree, but I thought that this year, I'm going to do it different.  So, I decorated it as best as I could, and the end result really reminds me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree.

I hope you're having a wonderful time with family and friends.  From my little tree and me, have a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Among the Grass

[Taken August 21, 2014.]

Tuesday's Tune: Time After Time

Who does not love "Time After Time?"  It's a classic.  I love the original, as sung by Cyndi Lauper, and there several covers of the song that I'm pretty fond of.  It's the recent cover above, by Sophie May Williams, that I've been listening to in repeat in the last few days.

This girl competed in the UK's The Voice earlier this year.  She went far in the competition, although she wasn't crowned the winner (the winner is this person).  I love the jazz elements that she brings to the song.  When you hear her voice, you can tell that she has an old soul (I love old souls!).  She has such a beautiful voice.

If you want to watch her whole audition, then check it out here.  If you want to listen to her sing the entire song, then check it out here (which I think was videotaped before she competed in The Voice).  Let me know what you think.  I really do love her voice.

Soup Kick

I've been making soup from scratch.  More often as of late.  I think it's a sign that I've finally found my way back to who I am.  Or it could just mean that I've stopped being lazy, minimized my excuses, and just started cooking again.

First it was clam chowder, then potato soup, now it's chicken noodle (made especially for a sick friend).  Even though I don't eat chicken, the soup smells amazing.  I couldn't believe how easy it was to make too.  Super easy and quick.  I'll post a recipe at a later time because I still need to come up with the measurements.  In the meantime, there are lots and lots of recipes available online for homemade chicken noodle soup.

I must say, there really isn't anything like homemade soup.  Once you start making your own, you really can't go back to canned soup.  I intend to make some mushroom barley for myself, then see if I can make a really good vegetable soup.

Have you made your own homemade noodle soup (yes, this includes pho too)?  Do you have an awesome recipe that you'd like to share?

Chenny

[Taken December 1, 2014.]

Tuesday's Tune: When the Stars Go Blue

I immediately fell in love with this song when I first heard it years ago, sung by Tim McGraw.  My old Friend recently reminded of the song, so I decided that it should be shared today.

It's my understanding that the song is written by Ryan Adams (don't confuse him up with Bryan Adams), who is a very accomplished musician.  However, my favorite version of this song is the one sung by Tim McGraw and the Corrs with Bono (yes, Bono).  There's a melancholy undertone to the song, but at the same time the song lingers in the mind, in a very good way.  I love the lyrics, even if doesn't always make sense.

Let me know what you think of this song.  Tell me, where do you go when the stars go blue?

Egg Salad Sandwich

I love egg salad sandwich.  I think my love for it may have started with me buying those egg salad sandwich at the gas stations (you know the ones I'm talking about: wrapped up in plastic with too much mayonnaise and tasting sweeter than it should be).  I eventually started making my own egg salad and just made it up as I went.  I often add minced onion to my egg salad because I loved the taste and crunch of onions.  Yet, sometimes I found it overwhelming.

I recently found the following recipe, which contains much of the same ingredients I often put in my own egg salad.  The main difference is that this recipe uses green onions, which really intrigued me. I have to say, I almost omitted the green onions and substituted it with regular onions, but I decided to just follow the recipe.  Am I glad I ever did.  The green onions added the perfect onion flavor to the egg salad.

I think this recipe is great as is or as a base (in my batch, I omitted the parsley but added mustard and some pickled jalapenos).  Let me know what you think of this recipe if you try it.  Do you like egg salad sandwiches?

Egg Salad Sandwich Recipe from Serious Eats

Ingredients

• 6 hard steamed eggs, chilled and peeled
• 1/4 cup homemade or store-bought mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon zest and 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 1/3 cup finely diced celery (about 1 small stalk)
• 1/4 cup finely sliced scallions, white and pale green parts only (about 2 scallions)
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Bread, lettuce, and thinly sliced radishes, for serving

Procedures

1. 1
   Combine eggs, mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, scallions, and parsley in a medium bowl. Using your hands, squeeze eggs through your fingers, mixing contents of bowl until reduced to desired consistency; alternatively, smash and mix with a firm whisk. Season generously with salt and pepper. Serve with sliced radishes, lettuce, and bread to make sandwiches, or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Vino

[Taken December 1, 2014.]