What is he looking forward to the most? STAN FRIKKEN LEE! THAT IS WHO!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Dallas Comic-con
I have heard the arguments, a proposal was written and I have been convinced. Ilinnuc will go to his first comic-con this May. It's a few months away but he tells me it's really important to plan the cosplay outfit. Here in lies the dilemma. What should he go as? I think he is thinking about going as Ash or Ginka. However, he is really leaning towards Ezio from Assassins Creed. What do you guys think? We are in the planning stages now. It's Dallas in May so its going to be HOT.
What is he looking forward to the most? STAN FRIKKEN LEE! THAT IS WHO!
What is he looking forward to the most? STAN FRIKKEN LEE! THAT IS WHO!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Oh My!!!
This is not a post about healthy living. I have to warn you, it's fried, it's covered in sugar 2 ways, and delicious.
Grands Biscuits Donuts.
What are they exactly? Simple. Sinful. It is a donut made with Grands brand biscuits.
I found it on pinterest. I had to try it. No I didn't actually eat them. :(
Here is what you will need.
Grands Biscuits
Medicine cup
Sugar
Cinnamon
Powdered sugar
(different toppings depending on what you like)
Vegetable oil
1. Place vegetable oil in a boiler pan and place on medium heat.
2. While the oil is heating open the can of biscuits and cut a hole in the center using a medicine cup. Save the centers for donut holes.
3. In a shallow pan mix the cinnamon and sugar. And put the powdered sugar in a sifter.
4. Place the donuts in the oil and cook until golden brown. You will need to flip them.
5.For powdered sugar donuts: Place them on either a paper towel or brown paper bag to drain the oil then sift powdered sugar on top and flip them and do the same to the other side.
6. For cinnamon and sugar donuts: Place the donut into cinnamon and sugar straight out of the oil.
TRY NOT TO EAT THEM ALL!
Grands Biscuits Donuts.
What are they exactly? Simple. Sinful. It is a donut made with Grands brand biscuits.
I found it on pinterest. I had to try it. No I didn't actually eat them. :(
Here is what you will need.
Grands Biscuits
Medicine cup
Sugar
Cinnamon
Powdered sugar
(different toppings depending on what you like)
Vegetable oil
 |
| What is left! HA! |
2. While the oil is heating open the can of biscuits and cut a hole in the center using a medicine cup. Save the centers for donut holes.
3. In a shallow pan mix the cinnamon and sugar. And put the powdered sugar in a sifter.
4. Place the donuts in the oil and cook until golden brown. You will need to flip them.
5.For powdered sugar donuts: Place them on either a paper towel or brown paper bag to drain the oil then sift powdered sugar on top and flip them and do the same to the other side.
6. For cinnamon and sugar donuts: Place the donut into cinnamon and sugar straight out of the oil.
TRY NOT TO EAT THEM ALL!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Not-So-Nachos
Trying to lower your carbs!? Partial to chips oozing in cheese? I have the yummiest recipe!
Ingredients:
Shedded cheese
Jalapeños
On PARCHMENT paper make 4 little mounds of cheese and heat in the microwave for 75 seconds. Remove from parchment and let cool.
These little cheese crisps give you the crunch of tortilla chips but without all that guilt! Dip them into salsa or put jalapeño peppers on them. I use jalapeños because they have the same flavor as nachos! So yummy!
Do not use sandwich cheese. It turns into a bloated disaster! Enjoy! Let me know if you guys like it.
A little side note: don't use wax paper. It totally sticks!
Ingredients:
Shedded cheese
Jalapeños
On PARCHMENT paper make 4 little mounds of cheese and heat in the microwave for 75 seconds. Remove from parchment and let cool. These little cheese crisps give you the crunch of tortilla chips but without all that guilt! Dip them into salsa or put jalapeño peppers on them. I use jalapeños because they have the same flavor as nachos! So yummy!
Do not use sandwich cheese. It turns into a bloated disaster! Enjoy! Let me know if you guys like it.
A little side note: don't use wax paper. It totally sticks!
Fighting the Creative Killer
I have talked in a previous post about the annoying little thing called, writer's block. It is the most annoying aspect of writing a book. It comes and goes, causes self doubt, and throws the story for a loop. What is most frustrating about writer's block is looking at the screen and seeing that your story is going nowhere; that no matter how much you will it to happen... it isn't going to happen.
This week was a difficult one. I usually try to produce something everyday. Does it always happen? No. Life occurs and sometimes I don't even get to open my laptop. This wasn't the case this week. I made a conscious effort this week to sit down everyday and hammer out something. Day 1 went well, day 2 and 3 okay, but day 4 sucked TERRIBLY. I couldn't do anything. I sat there thinking, "Is this where I want my story to go?"
Usually when I write, I don't force the story. It's like I am seeing this movie in my head and I write down everything I can; from the color of the leaves on the tree to the flush that is creeping up my heroine's neck. I try to detail everything that I can. If I can't, I try to recreate it somehow. For instance I had to explain the smell of a perfume. I went to a department store, and smelled it (and promptly got a headache--I am terribly allergic to most perfumes).
Nothing was coming to me on Day 4. I sat there staring at my screen willing my fingers to flex enough for me to produce 1 page. Usually events of the day trigger my writer's block. Earlier in the day, I started to doubt aspects of my story... and vocalized them. That was a BIG mistake. Usually it is good to talk through what you are feeling... it wasn't a good decision in this case. When I write I dive. I free-fall into the story and I don't look back. It isn't me creating the actions of the characters, the love interests, the clothing choices, or sayings--it's the character. I wish I could explain it better. It's like these people are alive in my head and it is my job to just... be the instrument.
Day 4 was the most frustrating day in my writing process. It will never happen again. Will writer's block occur? Probably. Will I vocalize my doubt? Never. I'm going to dive, free-fall, until the end.
Page progress this week 12.
This week was a difficult one. I usually try to produce something everyday. Does it always happen? No. Life occurs and sometimes I don't even get to open my laptop. This wasn't the case this week. I made a conscious effort this week to sit down everyday and hammer out something. Day 1 went well, day 2 and 3 okay, but day 4 sucked TERRIBLY. I couldn't do anything. I sat there thinking, "Is this where I want my story to go?"
Usually when I write, I don't force the story. It's like I am seeing this movie in my head and I write down everything I can; from the color of the leaves on the tree to the flush that is creeping up my heroine's neck. I try to detail everything that I can. If I can't, I try to recreate it somehow. For instance I had to explain the smell of a perfume. I went to a department store, and smelled it (and promptly got a headache--I am terribly allergic to most perfumes).
Nothing was coming to me on Day 4. I sat there staring at my screen willing my fingers to flex enough for me to produce 1 page. Usually events of the day trigger my writer's block. Earlier in the day, I started to doubt aspects of my story... and vocalized them. That was a BIG mistake. Usually it is good to talk through what you are feeling... it wasn't a good decision in this case. When I write I dive. I free-fall into the story and I don't look back. It isn't me creating the actions of the characters, the love interests, the clothing choices, or sayings--it's the character. I wish I could explain it better. It's like these people are alive in my head and it is my job to just... be the instrument.
Day 4 was the most frustrating day in my writing process. It will never happen again. Will writer's block occur? Probably. Will I vocalize my doubt? Never. I'm going to dive, free-fall, until the end.
Page progress this week 12.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Peppermint Bark... YUM!
Peppermint Bark
My favorite desert is and will always be... Peppermint Bark. I am not a fan though of dark chocolate. It's a little healthier, but around the holidays I rather splurge on something I love! This Recipe will cost roughly $12.00 depending on where you shop. Pay attention to sales adds and coupon inserts close to Thanksgiving because they had coupons in my local paper for the chocolate I use in the recipe.
This recipe is gets a ☆ in difficulty level. It is so easy!
Ingredients
2 packs of Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I use Bakers chocolate)
2 packs of White Chocolate (Baker's premium white chocolate)
Candy Canes
Equipment needed
Spatula
Boiler
Mixing bowl
Baking sheet with 1/4" sides
Aluminum Foil
The brand of chocolate you use is completely preference based. Whatever you like the most... use!
Step 1:
Rough chop the chocolate squares. Rough chopping makes it easier to melt.
Step2:
Fill a boiler 1/2 full with water and bring to a boil. Place a mixing bowl on top of the boiler and place the rough chopped Semi-Sweet Chocolate in the bowl. The heat from the boiling water will melt the chocolate. (You can also heat it in the microwave, be sure not to over heat the chocolate)
Step 3:
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Pour melted semi-sweet chocolate onto the lined pan. And smooth out. It doesn't need to be even, because the peppermint bark will be broken up in uneven pieces. Place in refrigerator to cool.
Step 4:
While the semi-sweet chocolate is cooling rinse the mixing bowl and dry thoroughly. Rough cut the white chocolate and melt it like the semi-sweet chocolate before it is completely melted remove from the heat still on top of the boiler.
Step 5:
Place 8 candy canes in a sandwich bag or between 2 sheets of wax paper. Either use your hand or a rolling pin or SOMETHING to finely chop them. You don't want them to be a fine dust... but small little pieces are good. Add 3/4 of the candy canes to the white chocolate. While you were beating the candy canes the white chocolate was finishing melting.
Step 6:
Remove the semi-sweet chocolate from the refrigerator. Pour candy cane and white chocolate mixture on top of the chocolate and spread it to cover the semi-sweet chocolate. Sprinkle with the remaining candy canes.
Step 7:
Place in refrigerator and cool completely. After cooled use your hands to break the peppermint bark apart. You can achieve square breaks by scoring the bark using a knife heating with warm water.
Suggestions:
You can use cute little bags and give them out as gifts during Christmas or place in a decorative tin. I gave them out at Christmas and it was a COMPLETE HIT!
Each piece of peppermint bark is roughly 100 cals depending on the size.
My favorite desert is and will always be... Peppermint Bark. I am not a fan though of dark chocolate. It's a little healthier, but around the holidays I rather splurge on something I love! This Recipe will cost roughly $12.00 depending on where you shop. Pay attention to sales adds and coupon inserts close to Thanksgiving because they had coupons in my local paper for the chocolate I use in the recipe.
This recipe is gets a ☆ in difficulty level. It is so easy!
Ingredients
2 packs of Semi-Sweet Chocolate (I use Bakers chocolate)
2 packs of White Chocolate (Baker's premium white chocolate)
Candy Canes
Equipment needed
Spatula
Boiler
Mixing bowl
Baking sheet with 1/4" sides
Aluminum Foil
The brand of chocolate you use is completely preference based. Whatever you like the most... use!
Step 1:
Rough chop the chocolate squares. Rough chopping makes it easier to melt.
Step2:
Fill a boiler 1/2 full with water and bring to a boil. Place a mixing bowl on top of the boiler and place the rough chopped Semi-Sweet Chocolate in the bowl. The heat from the boiling water will melt the chocolate. (You can also heat it in the microwave, be sure not to over heat the chocolate)
Step 3:
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Pour melted semi-sweet chocolate onto the lined pan. And smooth out. It doesn't need to be even, because the peppermint bark will be broken up in uneven pieces. Place in refrigerator to cool.
Step 4:
While the semi-sweet chocolate is cooling rinse the mixing bowl and dry thoroughly. Rough cut the white chocolate and melt it like the semi-sweet chocolate before it is completely melted remove from the heat still on top of the boiler.
Step 5:
 |
| It should look similar to this |
Step 6:
Remove the semi-sweet chocolate from the refrigerator. Pour candy cane and white chocolate mixture on top of the chocolate and spread it to cover the semi-sweet chocolate. Sprinkle with the remaining candy canes.
 |
| Perfect Peppermint Square! |
Step 7:
Place in refrigerator and cool completely. After cooled use your hands to break the peppermint bark apart. You can achieve square breaks by scoring the bark using a knife heating with warm water.
Suggestions:
You can use cute little bags and give them out as gifts during Christmas or place in a decorative tin. I gave them out at Christmas and it was a COMPLETE HIT!
Each piece of peppermint bark is roughly 100 cals depending on the size.
Poor Man's Chicken-n-Dumplings
Poor Man's Chicken-N-Dumplins
Love chicken and dumplings? On a fixed budget? Well, do I have the most AMAZINGLY delicious recipe for people on a strict budget! And no need to make your own dough... no rolling pin necessary. This is quick and easy...AND PAINLESS!
Ingredients
3 cans of CHEAP buttermilk biscuits (large size)
1 whole fryer chicken
Garlic powder
Salt
Chicken Bouillon
Equiptment
Large boiler
Step 1:
Rough separate the chicken. It doesn't have to be perfect. Be careful not to cut yourself. Buying a whole fryer chicken will drive down the cost of the dish. They do have whole chickens already cut up--if you don't feel comfortable breaking down a chicken... go with this option. It's really easy though.
Step 2:
Throw the cut up chicken in a boiler and fill with water. Place on high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium low and cover. Let cook for 20-35 minutes.
Step 3:
Remove chicken from heat and let cool. You do not want it do cool to room temperature just cool enough to handle the chicken without burning your hands. Once cooled begin to remove the meat from the bones of the chicken. DO NOT DISCARD THE CHICKEN STOCK!
Step 4:
Once the meat has been removed from the bones, place the meat back into the chicken stock rendered from boiling the chicken in the water. It's delicious and adds to the flavor. Add bouillon. Just a tbsp or 2. You can add more later if you want. Bring back to a boil. The stock and meat MUST be brought to a boil.
Step 5:
While bringing the stock back to a boil open all three cans of biscuits. Roughly cut the biscuits into 3X3 or 4X4 sections (In my opinion size does matter--the bigger the better) Add to boiling chicken stock.
Step 6:
Let cook uncovered for 20 minutes until dumplings are soft and chewy. The longer you cook the dumplings the softer they get. BEWARE the soft dumpling.
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE!
This will make a LARGE soup pot full of chicken and dumplings. If it's too much, freeze a portion of the stock before you add the dumplings. You can use it for other soups, or rice recipes later--or dumplings.
ENJOY!
Love chicken and dumplings? On a fixed budget? Well, do I have the most AMAZINGLY delicious recipe for people on a strict budget! And no need to make your own dough... no rolling pin necessary. This is quick and easy...AND PAINLESS!
Ingredients
3 cans of CHEAP buttermilk biscuits (large size)
1 whole fryer chicken
Garlic powder
Salt
Chicken Bouillon
Equiptment
Large boiler
Step 1:
Rough separate the chicken. It doesn't have to be perfect. Be careful not to cut yourself. Buying a whole fryer chicken will drive down the cost of the dish. They do have whole chickens already cut up--if you don't feel comfortable breaking down a chicken... go with this option. It's really easy though.
Step 2:
Throw the cut up chicken in a boiler and fill with water. Place on high heat until boiling. Reduce heat to medium low and cover. Let cook for 20-35 minutes.
Step 3:
Remove chicken from heat and let cool. You do not want it do cool to room temperature just cool enough to handle the chicken without burning your hands. Once cooled begin to remove the meat from the bones of the chicken. DO NOT DISCARD THE CHICKEN STOCK!
Step 4:
Once the meat has been removed from the bones, place the meat back into the chicken stock rendered from boiling the chicken in the water. It's delicious and adds to the flavor. Add bouillon. Just a tbsp or 2. You can add more later if you want. Bring back to a boil. The stock and meat MUST be brought to a boil.
Step 5:
While bringing the stock back to a boil open all three cans of biscuits. Roughly cut the biscuits into 3X3 or 4X4 sections (In my opinion size does matter--the bigger the better) Add to boiling chicken stock.
 |
| Finished product! So yummy! |
Let cook uncovered for 20 minutes until dumplings are soft and chewy. The longer you cook the dumplings the softer they get. BEWARE the soft dumpling.
SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE!
This will make a LARGE soup pot full of chicken and dumplings. If it's too much, freeze a portion of the stock before you add the dumplings. You can use it for other soups, or rice recipes later--or dumplings.
ENJOY!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
I can't think of a good title...
So this little blurp is about the inability to turn on the creativity. It's about the inability to get anywhere with my book. Does anyone know what it feels like to edit out 100 pages from a book that you at once thought was going smashingly well? Well, if you don't, I will tell you it sucks!
Last week I was rereading my yet to be titled book. It was the 100 millionth time doing so. I got to the same chapter I always do and thought, "Here comes the suck." I have been fighting removing those beautiful pages for over 2 months. Let me tell you. You may wonder why it has taken me this long... it's because a good well written page can take FOREVER to write. I may have very creative days where I hammer 20 pages out... but to be honest, I am lucky if I get 4 or 5.
Start the sad music, enter the violins... I did it. I removed over 100 pages from my almost done book. It was sad... I cried. I did place it in a separate file hoping I could rework them and fit them in in some sort of way. Chances are I won't.
Current status of book... now 136 pages typed pages... unfinished... sad. =(
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