Cooking and recipes...

I used to be a happy cook. And I say used to be because that was back in the day when there were still kids living at my house and I had people to cook for ;) Nowadays I still cook for myself but you know how it goes with for example Lasagna... you just can't make a 1 person portion so I end up eating the same for 3 days or so.

Have to say: I don't really like that :p But since I am just starting up a household of my own I still don't have a freezer which kind of limits my possibilities. I wouldn't mind cooking up a batch of Lasagna or Chili con Carne and freeze at least 2 portions of it...the smallest amounts of food I cook are based on a 3 person household. And the way Chi eats it would probably be just 2 :D

I know I promised recipes. I think I have a whole lot of them somewhere, maybe on my External HardDisk if I didn't throw them away during the divorce-rage :p In the restaurant we used to have cooking workshops and I always wrote the recipes for them, nicely illustrated and everything. At one point I even thought of bundling them into a cook book! Never happened of course...

All the recipes are written in Dutch though, so I'd have to do a lot of translating and, for my American readers: a lot of converting! So they will appear here in English, with both the metric and American measurements. I have done some shopping in Chicago but usually for fun things to bring home like Liquid Smoke and stuff like that. So I'd have to talk to Chi also to see if the ingredients we use here can also be easily bought in the USA, and for some: what would the names be.

But I really promise to look into that this week and pass the ingredients by Chi this weekend so I can start posting recipes. And I'll also try to take pics of food I made and post them too. I have to warn you all though: in my kitchen cooking isn't an exact science, one of the main ingredients in all recipes is LOVE and I use a lot of pinches and little bits of this and that ;) And a lot of my cooking is quite basic...but tasty! Oh, and Italian :')

Last time I was in Chicago Chi gave me a Polish cook book and I am looking into that too, and I have a lot of  Indonesian and Surinam recipes too.

So now I make a new promise: starting next week I will post some of my biggest successes, on a separate page, with pictures! I hope you'll enjoy them...

And now I have to go grocery shopping. I kinda feel like experimenting today so I think I'll try to make Golabki (cabbage rolls) today, with mushroom sauce, from Chi's cook book. I know he really likes them and since the way to a man's heart goes through his stomach I guess I better learn to make them good ;)

Have a nice day, cooking and shopping and whatnot...

Tasting chocolate *sigh*

I have the enormous task of tasting 5 bags of chocolate/caramel before October 27th :p Today the box was delivered... What a punishment! Hahaha...

When I still lived in Wageningen I worked for a company that organized different tastings. It was great fun, I got to taste stuff for free, filled in some questionnaires and got money too! One of my friends worked there too so we often went together.

One time we got to taste a totally new product, some flavoured yoghurt with a layer of fruitpreserve. We got little buckets of the stuff, 5 different flavours of which 4 were so absolutely YUMMY! Usually we got to take the stuff that was left home and we hoped this time we got that chance too. The representative of the yoghurt firm was running late and our boss tried to call her... Well he got her on her mobile and she said it was absolutely forbidden to take the yoghurt home, it was a new product in development and very hush hush... No need to say all tasters went home with belly aches from eating waaaaaaay too much yoghurt!

Too bad I moved, that would have been my dream job really! Oh well, I am getting to do some tasting now too every now and then, I already received a bottle of some kind of soda a while back and of course now the chocolate ;)

So I guess I better get to it! If you don't hear from me soon I must be in a sugar coma ;)

Have a great day!

Friends & Foes

If you have a wonderful man, who helps balance your whole world...who isn't perfect, but is perfect for you...who works hard and would do anything for you...that makes you laugh...who is your best friend...who you want to grow old with...and who you are thankful for...every day...then, post this as your status. I just did. :)

Another thing I found on FaceBook. And since I think I found such a man, of course I posted it as my status! I really thank the Lord on my bare knees for helping me find a guy like Chitown. He has proven to be a valuable friend when I needed one most and I have fallen head over heels in love with him. It seems that I am a lot more 'relaxed' ever since my divorce, people noticed that and told me. And I thank my darling for that too! Luvya sweetheart! :^


And then there was the loooong discussion with one of my blog-collegues! There is a program on the Dutch television, BNTM or Benelux Next Top Model. One of the judges, I won't name names for legal reasons ;), told a beautiful slender 16 year old contestant that it was clear she sucked her gut in, or else her tummy would be hanging on her knees. Excuse me?


This judge is kinda 'big boned' himself. He's a self proclaimed 'Famous Dutchy', and a stylist whitout any style for himself left, judging from the way he dresses. And he has the NERVE to call an almost size 0 aspiring model FAT? Does he realize how many girls watch that show, and think they are fat too now? And does he realize the dangers of anorexia nervosa? Guess not.


My friend got kicked out of this guys friends list on FaceBook and even got an email from his lawyer! Apparently, as she said, because she made a spelling mistake in the name of the show. Well boohoohoo! Really, I don't understand what such a sad example of a human being has to do judging others...

Another friend of mine is having problems with the UK government... They are cutting back BIG on defense and it looks like the base where he works and bought a house near, is gonna close. He won't be out of a job but still... His house will be worth sh*t soon, and has the government even thought of what closing the base will do to the economy in the vicinity? Again: guess not...

Lol, I was gonna skip Christmas again this year. Like, I don't have any money to celebrate or people to celebrate with (well, people close :p). That's what I thought at least ;) Yesterday my son came by and we were talking and suddenly he said: yeah I need to know what you do for Christmas, I wanna be here with you for one day! So he's coming by and we'll be probably watching movies or something... but I won't be alone ;)


And I was at the garden centre today, guess what. They're preparing for Christmas already! People, it's OCTOBER!! Saint Nicolas hasn't even entered the country yet :p Oh well, by the time it really is Christmas we'll all be sick and tired of all the stuff :')


Ho ho ho, have a great day ;)

The world's a beautiful place....

...it's just the people that muck it up!

Haha, okay, I see you guessing: what's she on about? Well a friend of mine wrote on FaceBook that she thinks this world really stinks! And it might be, if you look at all the wars going on and poverty and whatnot. But really, is that the fault of 'the world'? Of course not! It's the fault of some people that think they're right and that they have all the power... and so they ruin it for the rest of us :p This world is beautiful, and it would be a much better place if all people worked together instead of against eachother!

Another thing I read on FaceBook this week that really touched me. (It touched me so much that I copied and pasted it as was asked!) :

My parents were MEAN to me when I was a kid! They made me do chores, go to school and help others. They gave me a curfew, made me get a job and work for the things I wanted. They insisted that I did my best at school  and job and took pride in my work. I grew up with morals, a good work ethic and respect for the law. I thank God every day for my MEAN parents! (copy and paste, if you agree)

 

Didn't we all have days that we thought our parents were mean to us? I know I did and I am sure my kids thought at times I was the biggest sorry b*tch around! Because I was the 'oldfashioned' parent, and I really tried to bring up my kids the way I was brought up. I don't wanna point fingers or name names but we all see not everybody is doing the same! I see so many kids today that are really spoiled, they have mobile phones, computers and/or laptops and loads of other stuff they never had to lift a finger for, just whine long enough!

 

The 'world' has really changed since when I was a kid. I remember us kids playing outside in the sandbox without any parents present...they were just a shout away at home. We didn't need to be watched all the time. Now many kids hardly ever play outside, they are glued to their computers playing videogames, or even worse: surfing the net or chatting. Their parents think they're safe so often they don't even supervise what their kids are doing. Do I really have to point out the dangers of the internet?

 

I pride myself in having brought up two beautiful kids, and they grew up to be nice, respectful and responsible adults! They're 26 and 22 now so it won't be too long before they may get kids of their own. I really hope they will be 'MEAN' parents too...

 

You know what they say: Change the world...and start with yourself!

Woohoo I have my REAL computer back!

Finally, after two months of absence, I have my computer back. It once was a really good one, fast and heavy enough to play games on. It belonged to my son, and when it got a bit old-ish for him he bought a new one and gave me his. I was thrilled to get it because it was so much better than my old computer :p Like, it had Windows XP! Lol...

At the beginning of this year, when I was still employed, I bought a laptop, thought I needed that for my studies. I got a real nice one, on sale, because it was from the summer before. It still had Windows Vista but I got a free upgrade to Windows 7 with it and I had enough money to buy me Office too (especially since Social Services chipped in as well ;) ) And I got a cute little laptop mouse, and a pretty bag, and a very pretty laptop cover...

I did use it for my studies. Wasn't really needed, like, not like I had to bring it or anything... And I took it with me to Chicago, to store the pictures I'd be making, watch a movie on DVD when bored and to enjoy the free WiFi at MacDonalds during breakfast, a perfect time to connect with my relatives at home. Somehow I managed to forget my mouse so I had to learn to make do with the mousepad. And as a prezzy from Chi I got mobile internet for my stay there too! Which I used to the last bit of course :p

When I got home my pc started to bug a little. Nothing major, it just protested whenever I turned it on. So...I never turned it off again. Until I had to go to my mom's place for a week (with the laptop). I got home again and my pc was...dead. Or at least terminally ill I thought. So I contacted 'our' pc guy and he came to the rescue! Initially it looked like it was the motherboard that broke, and apparently it was so old that it couldn't be replaced with a new one.

Luckily it turned out to be the video card, that could be replaced quite easily and, very important: cheaply! Pc guy made a special price for me that I can even pay in rates so no worries. (Of course I hope I get a job soon so I can pay it all at once ;) ) He installed the pc for me so I am back in business!

In the time my pc was gone, I was 'forced' to use the laptop fulltime. And although I was having some difficulty adapting to the 'straight' keyboard opposed to the ergonomic one I use with my pc, it was a good experience. I almost thought I'd tell pc guy to retire my pc! I had everything on it backed up on my external HD, so I wouldn't miss it too much. I got really used to the laptop and Windows 7! But my pc has an older version of Messenger for example, something Chi and I like very much because we can just use the webcams without having to resort to videochat immediately.

So I have a choice again! And my laptop can go back in its cover soon ;) So I can take it to my friend Syllie to show my vacation pictures:p

Have a great day, on your laptop or on your pc :D

Just put a catchy title here ;)

Sorry I didn't write yesterday... I found out that I officially live under the poverty line and I was kinda overwhelmed by that news since I have never been poor in my whole life and it scared me to even think of myself as poor :p Of course I know I only get about half of minimum wages over here and I know too that I'd like to get 1.25/1.5 times of that same minimum wage to live quite comfortably but poor... BRRRR...I was imagining myself as a bag lady or morningstar already :')

Luckily for me Chi had his day off yesterday so I spent most of the day whining at him on Messenger, poor guy. He is so patient! And tries to lift me up when I'm really down... Very sweet but unnecessary because it's just something I have to go through. I like to just go with it for a bit and come out good again. And today I am feeling a lot better and more determined than ever to find a job. I sent my case manager an email telling her about the ProRail job being filled in already and my doubts about the WerkCenter and she sent me back an uplifting email. Even though I think I am really alone, there are people out there thinking of me! Which includes of course all my readers here :)

Yesterday I also emailed a friend of mine. I haven't seen her since February and had brief contact with her at times via text or email so I wanted to know where this friendship was going really. She hasn't even seen my vacation pictures yet and I've been back a while :p Well, much to my surprise she called me today. We talked for about half an hour and I asked her rather direct if she's avoiding me because the restaurant (my ex and I owned) still is a client of their accountancy firm, or because I am 'poor':p

Well, seems like the bad economy is good for them, they got a lot more work and of course she is busy with the kids and grandkids and her husband. She's going on vacation to Thailand in November and has a lot of work to finish before that. So from her side it's just lack of time. She asked me why I didn't come to their October 3rd party (ehm, I wasn't invited?). So there's a little lack of communication there too... I don't wanna impose but maybe I should just pass by her place some weekend. She's gonna try to make some free time to spend with me real soon though ;)

Always good news to get from a friend. And as I always say: 'A person that asks gets answers'. If I wanna know something, be sure I'll ask. And I don't mind whether I like the answer I get or I don't, at least I know where I stand!

And I finally got good news about my computer! Of course you don't know this but I am using my laptop ever since 'the big one' broke down. It's coming home tomorrow, with a new video card and one less physical HD. Computerguy even made me a nice price since I have been totally honest about my situation. Been missing my pc for over 2 months now. In a way I am glad though because I had to get used to my laptop and the 'straight' keyboard (I have an ergonomic keyboard on the pc).

So after one day of total sh*t life is surely looking better already :p And I wish all of you a great life too, or at least a great day ;)

Shopping therapy!

After a few quite shitty days, I decided it was time to cheer me up again. And how better than with 'shopping therapy'! Ok, this will take some explaining, because people that know me well do also know I hate shopping! I only like grocery shopping, and the best grocery shopping is in a supermarket abroad. If Chi ever wants his hands free for several hours when I am in Chicago, he can drop me off at Dominick's and I'll be as happy as a bug in a rug :p

But sometimes, when I am really depressed, shopping therapy can help. It's always better than binge eating ;) (Yes, I have B.E.D., binge eating disorder). I do have one little problem though: hardly any money :') And waaaaaay too many clothes and shoes! So I decided to look online at the websites of the cheapass supermarkets I frequent and bingo! One of them had some great deals! So I took some extra cash out of my Cash Cow (well it's a piggy bank in the form of a cow, hence the name I gave it :p) and jumped on my scooter. With the firm belief I was gonna be a good girl and only get what I really needed.

On the website I saw that they had tableware I bought last year and I broke two bowls of. Too bad the bowls were all gone but they had a new pattern plate and mug. And this year they even had aprons and potholders in matching patterns! So I am the proud owner of a shocking pink apron with white polka dots and the potholders to go with it. Yay! 

And the little plastic baskets were on sale too, so I got a set of 3 silver ones. They also had mixers and baking tins, guess what? Got a mixer, a cake tin, a pie tin and a muffin tin :D And they had the scented candles I like so much too so I got one of those and a totally useless thing: a scented battery operated LED candle :') Hey, you HAVE to get something useless when on shopping therapy, right?

Of course I also got some groceries and at the cash register I noticed I was €5 over budget. But I did have fun! And I'll go even back on Saturday to get the cookie sheet :p Poor Cash Cow will have to cough up the extra €5 so I can get my cigarettes :p 

But it was totally worth it! I am feeling way better now and I am gonna try out my new mixer and bake a batch of brownies! (And call my babygirl to ask her if she wants some I guess :p) At least I have the 'courage' now to send some mails around to my case manager at Social Services, and to a 'friend' that I feel left me hanging.

My day is half over already, but it's a good one! And I wish all of you a great day too!!