We're going to the chapel and we're, (Bah-boom) gonna get maaaaarried...
On September 18th, 2010. Woot woot!
Cliff proposed in front of my family on February 20th, 2008, so we figured it was about time to get our shit in gear and actually make my last name match my kid's. *winks*
I am pretty excited about this, Debating on colours and dresses, flowers and who is getting invitations. So far it's gourmet appetizers (both Vegan friendly, vegetarian and carnivorian style, heck yes!) and Orange (shocker, considering it's my fave colour) Bright cerulean blues and Creamy colours, which has me a little nervous, but Cliff want's blue in there somewhere.
The Guest list is about 65-70 people, We are preparing and supplying the food and looking for a cash bar scenario. That being said, I'm struggling to find a venue that isn't extortion expensive. Are there any suggestions from the Local Glamazon Peanut Gallery? Also are there any suggestions for photographers (as well as not being extortion expensive? since Diapers are! Haha!)
Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Showing posts with label Cliff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cliff. Show all posts
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
The Infamous "Proust Questionnaire"
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Of my personal misery, would be to be alone, unloved and destitute. I have a particular fear of being destitute. I guess it's years of comfy living that put that there. *she says tongue in cheek*
Where would you like to live?
Somewhere where quiet would be the general theme of the place I lived. I don't like excessive noise when it's not necessary. A thumping subwoofer at 11 am (and especially at 11PM!) isn't my idea of relaxed living. Modern, contemporary, and clean, or historic and well loved before I was there. Either works for me. I want a house with a large enclosed wraparound porch, somewhere safe, welcoming and beautiful for my family, for myself, and for the friends that visit.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Being loved, with a close family. Really, everything else just falls into place when that happens. Everything else is also just the icing on the cake.
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Clumsy-ness and Naivete. Things that you can't help, or things that show you have learning yet to do. Clumsy-ness, actually I find rather endearing.
Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?
Phedre, from the Kushiel's Dart series by Jacqueline Carey.
Your favorite painter(s)?
Tamara de Lampicka, Don Li-Liger, Van Gogh, Monet.
Your favorite musician?
I have so many. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan. A lot of jazz and Blues. I like low, smoky, impassioned voices, or ones that are just purity to listen to.
The quality you most admire in a man?
Logic, in the face of emotion. It's so enviable! Often it can be confused with being cold, but it's more a matter of seeing things rationally when you're hot tempered.
The quality you most admire in a woman?
Thoughtfulness for others. The ability to not be petty, selfish or vindictive.
Your favorite virtue?
Honesty. It so often gets mixed up in the muck.
Your favorite occupation?
Painter/artist, writer or musician. The ability to create is so wonderful.
Who would you have liked to be?
That's a loaded question. When I was in my youth, I dreamed of fame without the accompanying tripe that came with it. When I was in college, it was a well known but easy to get along with creative mind, not someone that was in charge of things, but someone that would contribute to important discussion, and one that would make the touches that made a project personal and universally appealing at the same time. Now... Something a little more than what I am, an educator, or instructor with good sense.
Your most marked characteristic?
I think my inherently playful nature. My social tendencies.
What do you most value in your friends?
Their ability to laugh when the world is hard on them. Positivity can be so beneficial not only to you but the world at large. Also, the depth and unquestionable genuine quality of their love.
What is your principle defect?
Laziness.
What is your dream of happiness?
Safety, Security financially. Simple pleasures and watching my son grow.
In what country would you like to live?
I never really thought of it but I'm remarkably lucky to be living in Canada. It's beautiful, relatively clean, welcoming and the autumn (My favourite season by far) in Canada is spectacular.
What is your favorite color?
I've got a deep and inexplicable love of the colour orange.
What is your favorite bird?
Eagles, Crows.
Who are your favorite prose writers?
Jacqueline Carey, Anne Rice, Orson Scott Card, J. R. Ward. Many more.
Who are your favorite poets?
Robert Frost.
Who are your favorite composers?
Satie. Pachabel.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents. My Fiance Cliff, My son for teaching me that every day is a gift, and that every day you can learn something new/that things that we take for granted are fascinating for a one year old. My friends that accept me, never judge me and love me for who I am and what I've done.
What are your favorite names?
I don't really have any favourites, persay. I love Jacob's second Middle name, Nicholas, which I chose. Sophie or Sophia, which we have chosen if we decide to and are able to have another baby and it's a girl. (this is a few years in the future.)
What is it you most dislike?
Greed. Spite. Malice. Deliberate cruelty.
What historical figures do you most despise?
Hitler tops the list. George W. Bush, for being so smart (Yes I do honestly believe he is a smart man...) and playing up the stupid to a ridiculous amount to cover up his Fuckups.
What event in military history do you most admire?
I have no idea.
What reform do you most admire?
The right for women to choose abortion if they so desire. The way that the European states treat Maternity leave (2 years of mat leave there! This is so wonderful!)
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Physical grace, athleticism.
How would you like to die?
I don't really dwell on these questions. Loved. Elderly.
What is your present state of mind?
Nervous about reentering the writing world. Slightly lost at the fact that for the first time in 10 years, I'm unemployed because I'm taking care of my son.
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Emotional reactions to things that deserve emotional reactions. When someone tells me "I'm sorry" when they are crying about something that is hard on the heart and soul, I often tell them they are allowed to be upset, if they weren't they wouldn't be a human being.
What is your motto?
I believe that every day you should do at least one random act of kindness towards someone else, that you should spend more time with your family and enjoy the most that life has to offer. You only get one life, live it well.
Of my personal misery, would be to be alone, unloved and destitute. I have a particular fear of being destitute. I guess it's years of comfy living that put that there. *she says tongue in cheek*
Where would you like to live?
Somewhere where quiet would be the general theme of the place I lived. I don't like excessive noise when it's not necessary. A thumping subwoofer at 11 am (and especially at 11PM!) isn't my idea of relaxed living. Modern, contemporary, and clean, or historic and well loved before I was there. Either works for me. I want a house with a large enclosed wraparound porch, somewhere safe, welcoming and beautiful for my family, for myself, and for the friends that visit.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
Being loved, with a close family. Really, everything else just falls into place when that happens. Everything else is also just the icing on the cake.
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Clumsy-ness and Naivete. Things that you can't help, or things that show you have learning yet to do. Clumsy-ness, actually I find rather endearing.
Who are your favorite heroines of fiction?
Phedre, from the Kushiel's Dart series by Jacqueline Carey.
Your favorite painter(s)?
Tamara de Lampicka, Don Li-Liger, Van Gogh, Monet.
Your favorite musician?
I have so many. Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan. A lot of jazz and Blues. I like low, smoky, impassioned voices, or ones that are just purity to listen to.
The quality you most admire in a man?
Logic, in the face of emotion. It's so enviable! Often it can be confused with being cold, but it's more a matter of seeing things rationally when you're hot tempered.
The quality you most admire in a woman?
Thoughtfulness for others. The ability to not be petty, selfish or vindictive.
Your favorite virtue?
Honesty. It so often gets mixed up in the muck.
Your favorite occupation?
Painter/artist, writer or musician. The ability to create is so wonderful.
Who would you have liked to be?
That's a loaded question. When I was in my youth, I dreamed of fame without the accompanying tripe that came with it. When I was in college, it was a well known but easy to get along with creative mind, not someone that was in charge of things, but someone that would contribute to important discussion, and one that would make the touches that made a project personal and universally appealing at the same time. Now... Something a little more than what I am, an educator, or instructor with good sense.
Your most marked characteristic?
I think my inherently playful nature. My social tendencies.
What do you most value in your friends?
Their ability to laugh when the world is hard on them. Positivity can be so beneficial not only to you but the world at large. Also, the depth and unquestionable genuine quality of their love.
What is your principle defect?
Laziness.
What is your dream of happiness?
Safety, Security financially. Simple pleasures and watching my son grow.
In what country would you like to live?
I never really thought of it but I'm remarkably lucky to be living in Canada. It's beautiful, relatively clean, welcoming and the autumn (My favourite season by far) in Canada is spectacular.
What is your favorite color?
I've got a deep and inexplicable love of the colour orange.
What is your favorite bird?
Eagles, Crows.
Who are your favorite prose writers?
Jacqueline Carey, Anne Rice, Orson Scott Card, J. R. Ward. Many more.
Who are your favorite poets?
Robert Frost.
Who are your favorite composers?
Satie. Pachabel.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My parents. My Fiance Cliff, My son for teaching me that every day is a gift, and that every day you can learn something new/that things that we take for granted are fascinating for a one year old. My friends that accept me, never judge me and love me for who I am and what I've done.
What are your favorite names?
I don't really have any favourites, persay. I love Jacob's second Middle name, Nicholas, which I chose. Sophie or Sophia, which we have chosen if we decide to and are able to have another baby and it's a girl. (this is a few years in the future.)
What is it you most dislike?
Greed. Spite. Malice. Deliberate cruelty.
What historical figures do you most despise?
Hitler tops the list. George W. Bush, for being so smart (Yes I do honestly believe he is a smart man...) and playing up the stupid to a ridiculous amount to cover up his Fuckups.
What event in military history do you most admire?
I have no idea.
What reform do you most admire?
The right for women to choose abortion if they so desire. The way that the European states treat Maternity leave (2 years of mat leave there! This is so wonderful!)
What natural gift would you most like to possess?
Physical grace, athleticism.
How would you like to die?
I don't really dwell on these questions. Loved. Elderly.
What is your present state of mind?
Nervous about reentering the writing world. Slightly lost at the fact that for the first time in 10 years, I'm unemployed because I'm taking care of my son.
To what faults do you feel most indulgent?
Emotional reactions to things that deserve emotional reactions. When someone tells me "I'm sorry" when they are crying about something that is hard on the heart and soul, I often tell them they are allowed to be upset, if they weren't they wouldn't be a human being.
What is your motto?
I believe that every day you should do at least one random act of kindness towards someone else, that you should spend more time with your family and enjoy the most that life has to offer. You only get one life, live it well.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Linds's Classic Apricot Marinated Roast Beast.
Cliff was the subject of experimentation from my past, tonight for dinner. My parents used to make this when I was younger, and it has been years since I've had it. Thankfully, we didn't die, and neither will you, if you eat my fancy shmancy Apricot marinated Roast beef dinnah!!
This meal is both sweet and savory, the apricot marinade/gravy adds a flavour you wouldn't expect into your dish! (and for those who think I'm crazy, what do you think HP sauce you have with your steak is made from? That's right, PLUMS, vinegar, and spices!!)
Ingredients:
1- 2 or 3 pound Beef Roast, your choice in cut.
1- bulb of garlic, 1/2 of this bulb should be chopped into coarse chunks.
2- containers of pureed/strained apricot baby food
1/3 cup of White vinegar
3 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, chopped fine
15 or so bite sized baby white potatoes
1/2 pound of carrots, chopped in bite sized chunks
1 medium white onion, that has been cut into 5ths
approximately 10 large white mushrooms, cut into halves
extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper
Using a sharp paring knife, place strategic stabs into the roast and using your finger, stuff the roast with peeled garlic segments. (This feels quite dirty, to be honest. Ignore the slightly pervy sensation and continue to make your roast deeeeffinglicious.)
In a large plastic ziploc bag, place roast, chopped garlic, vinegar, apricot baby food, rosemary, pepper and mix thoroughly until roast is covered in it.
Zip up and place into fridge to marinate in overnight. A bowl works great to keep the marinade covering the entire roast as it sits there absorbing the flavours.
The next afternoon, take the roast out of the bag of marinade, but DO NOT throw the leftover marinade away. This will be used later. Add 1/2 a cup of water to the mixture.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
In a large cooking pot that is suited to being in the oven for extended periods of time, heat and drizzle olive oil in, and when the oil starts to smoke slightly, you know it's hot enough to sear the sides of the roast to keep moisture in during the time it's in the oven. Sear roast until it is browned on all sides, and turn heat off.
Wash your potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots, and layer them in however you want, I'd suggest carrots on the bottom, mushrooms, onions, and potatoes on the top, to get them all brown and gorgeous.
Pour your remaining apricot marinade over the top of the roast and potatoes, and place in the oven to cook.
When your roast is at the right level of done-ness, (depending on size and cut of meat, and center temperature) place the meat on a cutting board to rest for approximately 10 minutes.
While your roast is resting, take a strainer over a bowl, and pour your veggie/gravy mixture into the strainer, separating the gravy.
Pour the gravy back into the pot that you were roasting everything in, on low heat, simmer until it thickens into real gravy as opposed to Au jus, and slice your meat against the grain in thin slices to get the best results. Sometimes a bit of beef gravy mixture adds some more flavour. Add some salt and coarsely ground pepper into the gravy to taste.
I also placed the veggies back in the oven for about 5 minutes to add a bit of crisp to the potatoes.
Enjoy.
This meal is both sweet and savory, the apricot marinade/gravy adds a flavour you wouldn't expect into your dish! (and for those who think I'm crazy, what do you think HP sauce you have with your steak is made from? That's right, PLUMS, vinegar, and spices!!)
Ingredients:
1- 2 or 3 pound Beef Roast, your choice in cut.
1- bulb of garlic, 1/2 of this bulb should be chopped into coarse chunks.
2- containers of pureed/strained apricot baby food
1/3 cup of White vinegar
3 tablespoons of fresh rosemary, chopped fine
15 or so bite sized baby white potatoes
1/2 pound of carrots, chopped in bite sized chunks
1 medium white onion, that has been cut into 5ths
approximately 10 large white mushrooms, cut into halves
extra virgin olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper
Using a sharp paring knife, place strategic stabs into the roast and using your finger, stuff the roast with peeled garlic segments. (This feels quite dirty, to be honest. Ignore the slightly pervy sensation and continue to make your roast deeeeffinglicious.)
In a large plastic ziploc bag, place roast, chopped garlic, vinegar, apricot baby food, rosemary, pepper and mix thoroughly until roast is covered in it.
Zip up and place into fridge to marinate in overnight. A bowl works great to keep the marinade covering the entire roast as it sits there absorbing the flavours.
The next afternoon, take the roast out of the bag of marinade, but DO NOT throw the leftover marinade away. This will be used later. Add 1/2 a cup of water to the mixture.
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Farenheit.
In a large cooking pot that is suited to being in the oven for extended periods of time, heat and drizzle olive oil in, and when the oil starts to smoke slightly, you know it's hot enough to sear the sides of the roast to keep moisture in during the time it's in the oven. Sear roast until it is browned on all sides, and turn heat off.
Wash your potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots, and layer them in however you want, I'd suggest carrots on the bottom, mushrooms, onions, and potatoes on the top, to get them all brown and gorgeous.
Pour your remaining apricot marinade over the top of the roast and potatoes, and place in the oven to cook.
When your roast is at the right level of done-ness, (depending on size and cut of meat, and center temperature) place the meat on a cutting board to rest for approximately 10 minutes.
While your roast is resting, take a strainer over a bowl, and pour your veggie/gravy mixture into the strainer, separating the gravy.
Pour the gravy back into the pot that you were roasting everything in, on low heat, simmer until it thickens into real gravy as opposed to Au jus, and slice your meat against the grain in thin slices to get the best results. Sometimes a bit of beef gravy mixture adds some more flavour. Add some salt and coarsely ground pepper into the gravy to taste.
I also placed the veggies back in the oven for about 5 minutes to add a bit of crisp to the potatoes.
Enjoy.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
For The Record...
Happy Anniversary, Cliffy. My pirate, my cowboy, and my gentleman, all rolled into one.
You've held my hand during our tough times, shared our joy together during everything we've been through, and captured my heart for the past year. I thank whatever god(s) exists in this universe that I had the chance to go out with you one year ago today, for that dinner at the little neighborhood restaurant where we had our first date. I love the feeling of your body next to mine at night. I love that you want to make this relationship actually work. I love how you kiss me goodbye every morning, even if I'm so asleep I don't remember it until later that afternoon. I love the sound of your voice from the other room when you sing with the radio. I love how you smell after I haven't seen you for the entire day. Like male, and wood, and cologne you put on that morning and... I cannot find the words to do it justice... It just smells like... Home. Where I belong.
Just know, I love you. So very much.
P.S. Dinner? It was amazing. Dessert? Even better. *wink*
You've held my hand during our tough times, shared our joy together during everything we've been through, and captured my heart for the past year. I thank whatever god(s) exists in this universe that I had the chance to go out with you one year ago today, for that dinner at the little neighborhood restaurant where we had our first date. I love the feeling of your body next to mine at night. I love that you want to make this relationship actually work. I love how you kiss me goodbye every morning, even if I'm so asleep I don't remember it until later that afternoon. I love the sound of your voice from the other room when you sing with the radio. I love how you smell after I haven't seen you for the entire day. Like male, and wood, and cologne you put on that morning and... I cannot find the words to do it justice... It just smells like... Home. Where I belong.
Just know, I love you. So very much.
P.S. Dinner? It was amazing. Dessert? Even better. *wink*
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