okay guyz

This is a happier layout than my last one to signify that I am like, happier or something. I got this. Let's go.
Things I am enjoying cooking right now INCLUDE:
- my dad's layered salad. It goes: thin sliced tomato, mozzarella, green olives, parsley, thin sliced tomato... etc etc etc. Then topped with some olive oil and pepper.
- Chicken noodle soup. I had no idea it was so comforting! Boiling some chicken remnants, taking out the chicken remnants, putting in a broillion cube, breaking spaghetti into little bits, parsley, celery, I am a champ. Eat that shit in a mug! :]
- raspberry tarts. In which small tart shells are purchased from the frozen section and baked. chocolate chips, cream, and a little salt are mixed in a pot that has been placed on top of another pot full of boiling water. Chocolate mixture is dolloped into shells, raspberries are inserted in chocolate goo.
- Elvis presley sandwiches.
yeh.
I would like to make a soup that would have boiled potatoes, baked squishy garlic, boiled leeks, cheese, etc etc. My dad calls it doctor soup. It's insane. Then the whole thing is blended. I don't want to do this with my tiny food processor so I'm waiting until I have a hand held blender thing.
In the words of Steve Albini:
"How did people make soup before stick blenders? They are the absolute stone cold nuts. You can fuck up a soup real bad and a stick blender will totally make it presentable. Having a stick blender is like a cheat code for Call Of Duty: Soup."
Here's my dad's recipe that is AMAZING if you want to try it and tell me how it goes :]
"1. make chicken stock or a celery-based vegetable stock
2. heat oven to 350 and cut across the tops of 3 bulbs of garlic, 1/4 inch into the bulb creating a flat top and exposing some cloves. dab tops of bulbs w olive oil, wrap them in foil (or put in small oven proof bowl w a lid). Put garlic in preheated oven for 1 hour.

3. Get a bunch of leeks....3 or 4...cut off roots, cut lengthwise quartering the leeks, and wash leeks well getting all the grit out. Get rid of the darkest green of the leaves, then put on board and slice up leeks finely.

4. Heat 1/3 cup olive oil in large pot and add leeks. Cook over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. peel and cube 3 lbs of potatoes (make 1" cubes). Add potatoes to leeks with 6 cups chicken (or vegetable stock , see above). Add salt (go carefully here, you can ruin the whole dish in one go) and black pepper...taste as you go.

6. Bring to boil and simmer 20 minutes Or until potatoes tender.

7. RECIPE says: "Squeeze soft garlic into container of a blender, discarding the papery skins. Add 3 cups of the leek mixture (ie. the simmering soup) and blend till smooth. Add back to pan then use a potato masher or mixer to smooth out the soup a little, leaving some chunks in the soup (as desired). Add milk (2 cups) and bring to boil. Remove from heat and add 1 cup sharp cheddar (grated), if desired."
you could top it w chopped chives...have some crunchy bread"

Hm. Happiness comes a lot from cooking I guess
Other shit that makes me happy:
- Not being afraid of peace and quiet
- Having money for food
- Having my room all decorated finally
- Wearing shorts
- Having an awesome roommate!
- Drinking tea and milk. :3
- Naps
- My window overlooking a picturesque lot for sale
- Enjoying reading books! Right now I am reading "The Cloud Atlas". It's a compilation of short-ish stories that weave into one another even though they are different times, places, people. Very sci-fi, but still on this earth. Is that fantasy? I don't know. I feel so absorbed when I read it. There's something about reading, it feels a little like you're pressing reset on your brain.
- Jamie :] <3
- This is dumb, but I think I have completed my collection of clothing. o_o
Except for these:
http://needsupply.com/womens/bottoms/tribal-shorts.html (in red)
these:
http://needsupply.com/womens/shoes/rush.html
and these:
http://needsupply.com/womens/accessories/swimwear/oksana-swim-suit.html
Then I will be done. I swear (haha.).
But no, seriously, I'm suddenly realizing that my life couldn't get better just because I was dressed like a super modern saucy wench. It's not like suddenly I'd be in constant ecstasy because I made other ladies jealous. And it's funny too, because I feel like I couldn't find myself any more beautiful than I do. Sorry to be conceited- maybe it's just that I'm realizing most women seem to print mental problems onto their body as their body's fault- but I'm kind of just... friends with my external face now. Christ. heh.

ON A SEPARATE NOTE
I want to get crunk with people and have spastic dance parties some time. I don't know. I am usually more of a homebody. This would be a fun way to punctuate summer.

Bye!