Sometimes you just have to say it.

I'm not very good at having hard conversations, especially when emotions are involved and I might be hurting someone or putting my feelings on the table. Tonight, I had to send a hard email. And it crushed me. See, I have this friend... and we've been through a lot together. About nine months ago, she moved away... and we kind of lost touch. About a month ago, she moved back home, which is closer, but not here. And last weekend, I got an email. An apology for kind of dropping off the face of the earth (which often happens when we don't live in close proximity). It took me until tonight, five days after getting the email, to figure out how to respond. I knew it was going to be hard, but that I had to say what was on my mind, how I feel. So I did. And it sucked. But I did it. And yes, I'm ok. But I did cry... and I blame you... for reminding me I am indeed ok... but it's ok... I needed it.

... and it's only 7:30am

me: I'm going to get some water.. be right back.

Nathan: k

a minute later...

me: ... and as I filled the bottle, I thought, damn, it would be cool if this water fountain spouted beer.

Nathan: haha
me: seriously, that's what went through my head as I filled the water bottle

Nathan: i have a banana on my desk. i wish it would ring and someone on the other end would give me something fun/cool to do

me: aaahahahah YES!

Nathan: hell, i just wish it would ring. who cares what they wanted

Basil, Chili, and Garlic Chicken

Rice noodles may be my new favorite noodle. They are so thin (and slimy, in a good way) and light and delicious. I vaguely recall making them once or twice with Nickolas back in the day, but can't remember the dish we made or the results. But tonight... tonight I made a recipe using rice noodles that cannot go unnoticed. A great combination of flavors with a little heat... and super easy to make!

Basil, Chili, and Garlic Chicken

What you need:

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 pound Asian rice noodles (1 8.8oz package)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, 1/2 diced, 1/2 thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 package basil, ribboned (about 1 cup)
  
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

What you do:

1. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup water with fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir to dissolve sugar and set aside.
2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the rice noodles as directed on package. Drain and set aside.
3. While the noodles are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet. Saute onions (both sliced and diced) and garlic until softened. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
4. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the same skillet and heat. Add chicken and cook until browned.
5. Once chicken is cooked through, add onion/garlic mixture and sauce, tossing to coat. Heat until bubbly.
6. In a small dish, add 1 teaspoon sauce from skillet to cornstarch. Mix well and add to skillet with onion/garlic/chicken mixture. Let cook until sauce thickens.
7. Take off heat and add basil. Stir until basil begins to wilt.
8. Serve over rice noodles.

Things to note:

• The garlic amount listed up there is actually what the recipe called for. Eight cloves of garlic sounded like a lot, so I did not add any extra. Upon consuming, I am happy with that decision.
• The actual recipe called for two teaspoons of red pepper flakes. I am just starting to build my heat tolerance, so I only used one teaspoon -- it was hot, but not too hot and just right for me. If you like it hot, add two teaspoons.
• One package of rice noodles makes a lot of noodles. I suggest serving the two in separate bowls so the sauce doesn't get all over the extra noodles. Suggestions for leftover noodles: spring rolls!
  

Quote of the Day

"21 below as reported on the news this morning is neither fit for man nor beast."

- an email from my Grandma

Just another Minnesota morning...

6:45am, drive in to work:

-17° before windchill
-31° with wind

5 inches of snow yesterday, with another 3 to come tonight.

Awesome.



PS. Those are negative signs, not dash-style bullet points.

The Culprit!

... we walked into the gym, I heard the TV on, and there it was... FoxNews. I scanned the room... just one culprit...

"It's YOU!" I screamed and pointed to the running man on the treadmill.
"It's YOU!" he screamed back.

Pauli. Pauli has been changing the channel from CNN to FoxNews this entire time. Pauli.

The war is on, Pauli, you will not win.

This is just to say...

Thank you for forgetting
your sweatshirt
that was in
my closet

and which
you were probably
hoping
to pack.

I love it
it's my favorite
so comfortable
and so warm.


(My take on William Carlos Williams's "This Is Just To Say")

So easy, so delicious...

This is by far the best corn chowder I've ever had. My mom made it over Christmas weekend was I was home, and I just had to make it myself (and share it with you). It's as easy as dumping all the ingredients into the crock pot, turning it on, and walking away for 4-5 hours. How easy is that!


Crock Pot Corn Chowder

What you need:

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can creamed corn
• 1 12oz. bag frozen corn
• 1 c. frozen hashbrown potatoes
• 1/2 onion, grated or finely chopped
• 2 1/2 c. milk
• 1 c. diced turkey ham
• salt and pepper to taste

What you do:

1. Dump all ingredients into crock pot.
2. Mix to combine.
3. Cook on HIGH 4-5 hours.

Word of the Day

Pussification

As used in a sentence:

It's the pussification of America.

The Perfect Bedside Lamp

It's been a while since I've absolutely needed something geeky.

NEED THIS:This how perfect this would be... you'd never need a bookmark again (well, unless you're taking your reading materials with you elsewhere). It's the ultimate bedside lamp and I need it.

AND... it totally fits in my bedroom decor!