Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hybernating
To begin with I hate cops for another week. I got a ticket and my parents tore me and Wagon apart. Absence makes the heart grow fonder in this instance. Having to find rides and stuff is such a pain. I really miss having everything in my car, being able to go wherever I want, when I want. My mom decided tonight that I have to work 20 hours outside to pay it off and get Wagon back. FML
Monday, July 26, 2010
400 Sauces
Tried making my first sauce today and the authors lied. Basic white sauce is really gravy. I might go crazy if I have to wait another full year to see a different country.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Life of Pi
Imagine being named after a swimming pool.
Imagine setting sail to a different country with an entire zoo in storage.
Imagine being marooned in a lifeboat for 200 days with a bengal tiger...and surviving.
Imagine encountering a carnivorous island of algae that during the day transformed salt water into fresh water.
Imagine losing ones entire family.
Imagine attempting to embrace three different religions.
All through out Life of Pi, I was amazed and impressed with the vocabulary and knowledge of exotic animals and their characteristics. This story of survival written by Yann Martel was packed full of controversial moments brought on by desperate circumstances. Pi Patel lived his life with God and was tested far more extensively than any of us will ever be.
The blurbs on the back of the book all say the book was funny, I don't remember laughing once.
The only time I remember laughing about this book was when I first borrowed it and was looking at the cover. On the front is a gold circle that says WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE. After glancing at the front I thought that it said Winner of the man book prize and that was about the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life. Someone should start that, an award for the best "man book."
Yann Martel: Born in Spain. He went to a boarding school in Canada for his high school years. He grew up in Costa Rica, France, Mexico, and Canada. As an adult, Martel has spent time in Iran, Turkey and India. After studying philosophy at Trent University in Canada, Martel spent 13 months in India visiting temples, churches, mosques and zoos, and then two years reading religious texts and castaway stories. His first published fictional work, Seven Stories, appeared in 1993. Other works include Beatrice and Virgil, and What is Steven Harper Reading.
Imagine setting sail to a different country with an entire zoo in storage.
Imagine being marooned in a lifeboat for 200 days with a bengal tiger...and surviving.
Imagine encountering a carnivorous island of algae that during the day transformed salt water into fresh water.
Imagine losing ones entire family.
Imagine attempting to embrace three different religions.
All through out Life of Pi, I was amazed and impressed with the vocabulary and knowledge of exotic animals and their characteristics. This story of survival written by Yann Martel was packed full of controversial moments brought on by desperate circumstances. Pi Patel lived his life with God and was tested far more extensively than any of us will ever be.
The blurbs on the back of the book all say the book was funny, I don't remember laughing once.
The only time I remember laughing about this book was when I first borrowed it and was looking at the cover. On the front is a gold circle that says WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE. After glancing at the front I thought that it said Winner of the man book prize and that was about the funniest thing I have ever heard in my life. Someone should start that, an award for the best "man book."
Yann Martel: Born in Spain. He went to a boarding school in Canada for his high school years. He grew up in Costa Rica, France, Mexico, and Canada. As an adult, Martel has spent time in Iran, Turkey and India. After studying philosophy at Trent University in Canada, Martel spent 13 months in India visiting temples, churches, mosques and zoos, and then two years reading religious texts and castaway stories. His first published fictional work, Seven Stories, appeared in 1993. Other works include Beatrice and Virgil, and What is Steven Harper Reading.
Saffron
The most expensive exotic spice: comes from the stigma (female part of the flower) of the saffron crocus, a lovely lilac colored flower with six petals and no petiole.
Saffron is a bulbous perennial of the iris family.
Harvesting: should happen in October.
To harvest, cut off the open flowers at mid morning on a sunny day. Allow all foliage to grow through winter and nourish the plants for the next year. After the blossoms are plucked and laid out to dry for 3 days. The reddish gold threads (the stronger the color, the stronger the flavor), about an inch long, are then pulled out of its center. Saffron must be picked before the sun's warmth wilts the new days blossoms. Once the long labor of stripping the flowers is finished, the threads must be carefully and quickly dried to develop their flavor, and to remove moisture, which can cause saffron to rot. If this is done, incorrectly, hundreds of dollars in saffron can be destroyed. The wet threads are placed over a heat source. The threads lose about 80% of their weight in the drying process.
Growing: Saffron thrives in full sun, with rich, well-drained soi. It prefers a sheltered location, avoid windy spots, or areas that stay wet in the heat of summer, around downspouts or at the bottom of slopes. The corms or bulbs should be sown in June and July (by hand) about 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Gophers love them so they should be protected with a mesh enclosure.
Fields: The bulb like corms should be divided every third year, so you can build a good sized saffron patch without breaking the bank. The same field can yield saffron for seven to nine years before another crop should be planted.
It takes approximately 70,000 flowers to make a pound. Per pound wholesale saffron sells for 450 dollars. If its a good crop year 2 and a half acres will yield 6 to 12 pounds of saffron.
Money and storage: Farmers are payed in cash or scrip. Not all farmers sell immediately after the harvest. It can be kept for years if stored in an airtight vessel away from light and moisture.
Quality: based on ISO3632 standard - Tarvand Saffron Co.
Saffron is a bulbous perennial of the iris family.
Harvesting: should happen in October.
To harvest, cut off the open flowers at mid morning on a sunny day. Allow all foliage to grow through winter and nourish the plants for the next year. After the blossoms are plucked and laid out to dry for 3 days. The reddish gold threads (the stronger the color, the stronger the flavor), about an inch long, are then pulled out of its center. Saffron must be picked before the sun's warmth wilts the new days blossoms. Once the long labor of stripping the flowers is finished, the threads must be carefully and quickly dried to develop their flavor, and to remove moisture, which can cause saffron to rot. If this is done, incorrectly, hundreds of dollars in saffron can be destroyed. The wet threads are placed over a heat source. The threads lose about 80% of their weight in the drying process.
Growing: Saffron thrives in full sun, with rich, well-drained soi. It prefers a sheltered location, avoid windy spots, or areas that stay wet in the heat of summer, around downspouts or at the bottom of slopes. The corms or bulbs should be sown in June and July (by hand) about 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Gophers love them so they should be protected with a mesh enclosure.
Fields: The bulb like corms should be divided every third year, so you can build a good sized saffron patch without breaking the bank. The same field can yield saffron for seven to nine years before another crop should be planted.
It takes approximately 70,000 flowers to make a pound. Per pound wholesale saffron sells for 450 dollars. If its a good crop year 2 and a half acres will yield 6 to 12 pounds of saffron.
Money and storage: Farmers are payed in cash or scrip. Not all farmers sell immediately after the harvest. It can be kept for years if stored in an airtight vessel away from light and moisture.
Quality: based on ISO3632 standard - Tarvand Saffron Co.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Game Plan
I finally got smart and stopped running around wasting gas. Plan backfired: Being home means more time with mom which means more time grounded. YAY! Cottonwood is really far away from everything and the gas is basically the same. Great plan, Elyse! Time to become a hobo. Take the cat and a weeks worth of clothes and see ya! (Make mom pay for gas first) lol
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
What wheels has given me...
As soon as I got my license, everything was "As soon as I get my car..." and "I need a car!" Now that I have a car, I have been reflecting as to what exactly I have gained from it. So far I have gained a place to sleep hahahah I have gained solitude, blessed solitude. Most people when asked this question would say they have gained freedom. I haven't really gained freedom, I have always had a lot of freedom. It feels more like control. I feel like I am slowly getting more and more of my life under control and on the road I have dreamed about. My car, Wagon and I pretty much bonded instantly. Not very pretty but he's sturdy, dependable, lasting, and practical. Good gas mileage, fold down seats that make a bed in the back. Super quirky! He screams unexpectedly sometimes, and has a pacifier, and I have to turn on my lights to turn on the cd player. YES IT HAS A CD PLAYER!!! Anyway, Wagon and I are major pals and I am more grateful for him then like anything else I have.
NOTE TO WAGON: So today while I was driving you I thought about later in life when I have a special guy...no matter how cool he is I would still pick you over him hahahhah Don't worry I will tell him that too!
NOTE TO WAGON: So today while I was driving you I thought about later in life when I have a special guy...no matter how cool he is I would still pick you over him hahahhah Don't worry I will tell him that too!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Falls
Waterfalls! After the first one yeah they are cool but are they worth the hike? Tons of people have seen it before, walked the same trail, spent the same sunny afternoon taking pictures by it, and were limited by the same trails. Is it worth it if you stay within the railings? I have decided it's not. Let the old fogeys and the young kids stay in the railings. I want to tempt fate. Find out if its my day to die. I know its not but will I know for sure if I don't chance it? I want the rush, the memory, and the breathe taking view of staring a death in the face few have dared to. My dad would say I am stupid, he's right I guess.
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