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Theecarey's Journal

theecarey
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07/29/2006 18:07 #35998

lifes a beach
what going on tonight? im in cattaragous county on lake erie i plan to leaue 7-8 ish text-call (deleted)
theecarey - 07/30/06 13:25
yeh, something likke that. I was close :) More specifically, I was in Irving. There were signs for both counties and names of places that sounded like both. ie; The Catt Rez etc. Nice drive from Y-Town.
mrmike - 07/30/06 10:41
wouldn't that be chautauqua county on Lake Erie??

07/27/2006 18:02 #35997

hold the sugar
Category: semi rant
image

Yeh, I can't draw with this thing quite yet.

I'm not a fan of sweetened tea. I went through the drive up Starbucks around the corner from my college.. I tried sipped my tea only once I arrived to class. Its sweetened. Yuck. I'm drinking it anyway; worse things could happen :)
mrmike - 07/27/06 21:39
Yeah, but it wouldn't kill them to get the order right. If it wasn't for the mocha frappicnos they would be dead to me

07/26/2006 16:57 #35996

a single girl and her dill
Category: wishes
My flowers look scorched. If nothing else I have been tending to my flowers. I deadhead them, pull the occasional weed and water my beauties almost daily.

Yesterday I gave them all a good drink-- and by 4:30 pm today, they look wilted. I need to get back outside and take care of them, pronto.

My garden spots look like a jungle as everything is overgrown and needs to be divided and replanted. I had hoped to have been able to take care of that a few weeks ago, but now the opportunity is gone-- I need to wait it out a few more weeks before I can clean it up a bit. (e:matthew), when you are finally in your new home and settled-- I will share anything that you want.

I even have half a dozen bush/tree/plants that need to be planted. However, I do not see that happening until the end of summer., either. They are holding up well in their pots so far.

If- When I move, I will be digging a lot of plants out of the ground. I have accumulated so many in the past two summers. I have a knack for growing things outside. Just don't let me near an indoor plant...

My next home, which I would rather be in a position to buy (preferably B-Lo) as opposed to rent-- 'cause my apartment now is great for the rent price, size, privacy, etc.. and as I have too much 'house' stuff to just move into any old place.. I must have a little bit of a yard to plant my jungle. I don't like things to be overly manicured. I like it kinda wild- yet with some planning to it. I make things look nice-- I just don't need or want a cookie cutter look.

I imagine a smallish yard for my secret garden.. er, secret jungle? And a place to sit, read, write, drink wine, socialize and escape into the smells, sight and ambiance of nature.

So although I also wanted to put in a vegetable garden this year and was not able to, I managed to put in an herb garden. I have a bunch of different herbs lining a huge built in flower box that runs the length of my front porch. It great to cook something and just step out the door to snip some fresh herbs. Yum. I have used everything that I have planted so far except the Dill.

Now, What do I do with dill??? besides make a dill dip???

any ideas???????????????????????????????


I am clueless! (e:kara) ?????? help!!!! :)

ooh, while i am thinking about it.. (e:ladycroft) remember-- you must let me know what your schedule looks like in general. :)


I better get back outside and do some watering.. then its school work. surprised? nah, me either.

I'm on top of things though yay!

pyrcedgrrl - 07/27/06 12:44
I had the same problem the other day b/c my dill is starting to flower. lol.

I found a bunch of recipies. I tried the forst one and added peas and capers and it was really yummy.

Buttered Noodles with Fresh Dill

1/2 pound egg noodles
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons snipped dill
2 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt and pepper

Cook noodles according to package instructions. In a large bowl, toss noodles with melted butter, parsley, dill, Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.


Creamy Dijon-Dill Potato Salad

Ingredients
3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 stalks celery
1 cup mayonnaise
1 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup tightly packed chopped fresh dill
1 to 2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 tablespoon grainy or regular Dijon mustard

Instructions
Put the potatoes in a big pot with enough water to cover by 1-inch. Season with salt and
bring the water to a boil. Cook just until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 25 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and return them to the uncovered pot off the heat. Let them sit until almost room temperature.

(Cooling them in the warm pot will get rid of any excess water in the potatoes, and that's good.)

Meanwhile, cut the white parts off the ends of the celery stalks. Cut the stalks in half lengthwise, then across into
1/4-inch slices. Stir the celery, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and the remaining ingredients together in a serving bowl large
enough to hold all the potatoes.

When they're cool, cut the potatoes into 1-inch pieces, add them to the bowl as you go. Stir gently until all the
potatoes are coated with dressing. You can make the salad up to a couple of hours in advance. Keep covered at room
temperature. Don't refrigerate or the potatoes will lose their rich, smooth texture.



Dill Dip in a Bread Bowl

Ingredients
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon dill weed
1 tablespoon shallot, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon beau monde (seasoning salt), optional
2 round bread loaves (preferably a dill/onion bread)

Instructions
Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Cut out the center of 1 bread round



Grilled Corn on the Cob with Dill Butter

Ingredients
12 ears corn, silks removed, husks left on, and soaked in cold water for
20 minutes
1/2 pound unsalted butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill
Salt and pepper

Instructions
Heat grill to high. Remove corn from water and place on the grill. Close
cover and grill until just cooked through, about 20 minutes. While corn is grilling, combine butter
and dill in a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Remove husk and
slather with dill butter.



Lemon-Dill Shrimp

1 1/2 pounds medium-large shrimp, shelled, deveined and patted dry with a towel
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 teaspoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill

Divide the shrimp between two 8- or 9-inch pie pans and pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Arrange the shrimp so they lay flat and are evenly spaced in the pans.

Heat 2 large skillets over medium heat. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add a teaspoon of butter to one of the pans and turn the heat to high. When the foam subsides, invert a pan of shrimp over the skillet so they fall into the pan all at once. Repeat with the other shrimp. Cook the shrimp, without moving them, until they turn golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Add a remaining teaspoon of butter to each pan and turn off the heat. Turn the shrimp over with tongs and cook for 1 minute in the residual heat of the pans. Add half the zest, juice, and dill to each pan, and shake the pan to combine.

Divide the shrimp among 4 plates or arrange on a platter. Serve hot or at room temperature.


Cucumber, Grape Tomato and Dill Salad

Ingredients
1 large shallot, finely minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup olive oil
1 seedless, skinless, cucumber, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/4 inch half moons
1 bunch fresh dill, trimmed and minced
Lightly toasted fennel seeds
1 serrano chile, seeded and chopped
1 pint grape tomatoes

Directions
Put shallot, mustard, and vinegar in a blender, and blend. With the
motor running, slowly drizzle in oil. Toss cucumber and dill in the vinaigrette with fennel seeds
and chile. Fold in the tomatoes.

leetee - 07/27/06 08:38
You can always make dill butter. Just throw some into some softened butter, stir it up to mix it, then stick it back into the fridge. Great on veggies of almost any kind... well, corn, green bean, as (e:Ladycroft) mentioned, dill is amazing with 'taters.

Dill is also good on creamy noodle dishes. ON lazy days, i make those lipton noodle side dish thingies and throw in some dried dill... makes me feel less lazy.

And i found this recipe that sounds good...

Mushroom Dill Soup

1/4 cup butter
1 medium onion, chopped
12 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 Tbsp. chopped dill
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. paprika
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sour cream
snipped dill for garnish

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes, or until softened. Add mushrooms, wine, dill, soy and paprika. Cover and simmer 15 minutes, or until mushrooms are softened. Add stock, bring to a boil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream and snipped dill.

Happy dilling. :O)
jenks - 07/27/06 06:08
agreed, tzatziki is awesome. My greek friend whipped some up for us once, and I thought the coffee filter was a funny touch- but it does indeed work.

A guy I know was going to cook dinner and told me the veggies in his "dill crock" were ready. I'm still not entirely sure what that means, but cukes + dill crock = pickles. No idea how you do it, but he had cukes, beans, green tomatoes and... i forget what else... in there, and it was delish.
dragonlady7 - 07/26/06 23:34
An actual tzatziki recipe, approximated from The Joy of Cooking:

Set 1 c plain yogurt (lo-fat is ok) in a coffee filter in a colander over a bowl. This lets all the nasty runny watery stuff drip out, and makes your dip creamier. Leave it in the fridge like that overnight, or on the counter for an hour or two.

Finely chop one large cucumber. Set it in a colander. Sprinkle it with salt. Let sit 20 minutes over a bowl, likewise to get the runny excess water out.

Grate/chop/crush two cloves of garlic with some salt. Mash around. Mince 2 T each dill and mint. Combine with the garlic.

Squeeze excess water from diced cukes with a paper towel. Dump into bowl/container with yogurt. Add garlic/mint/dill. Mix thoroughly.

Use as veggie dip, potato chip dip, as a sauce for your grilled skewers of assorted meats and vegetables (wrap all in a pita), etc. It's the best thing ever and I eat it all the time. Feel free to mod the proportions of spices, to taste.


Another good thing to make with dill is poached salmon. If you're in the mood.

Much of my dill has gone to seed already-- I've started another crop. You can never have too much dill!!!

But my basil sux this year.
zobar - 07/26/06 22:40
dill + cucumbers + mint + garlic + yogurt = tzatziki. Spread it on a pita - you can burn through a lot of dill and cucumbers this way.

- Z
libertad - 07/26/06 22:11
my rabbit loves herbs
ladycroft - 07/26/06 20:24
dill, you can put it on anything! i love it on eggs, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes (especially boiled potatoes!)...share, share, share! i looooooooove dill.
mrmike - 07/26/06 19:20
Too much dill? seems like you are in quite a pickle.

07/24/2006 23:19 #35994

I said, Dont Be Evil
Category: nerd
approximately two years ago I signed up for a gmail account- for research purposes. I wrote a bit about googles privacy policy and gmail in (e:theecarey,88)

Recently I have done a few searches within the gmail app, using the "search the web" option.

Two fairly recent searches have been on foreign languages and internet dating. The first, for translations and a global perspective, business-wise. The latter, research for an upcoming project (the things that I do!).

I have maintained my gmail account for a few reasons. For one, it is great for keeping spam that ends up in my primary account, yahoo, to a minimum. I have ezine subscriptions, newsletters, research related stuff and a bunch of other email required accounts that have really added up to an excessive amount of email.. so it keeps it all away from my precious yahoo email. xxoo

So naturally, I receive a lot of spam. Gmail pretty much takes care of it. I have around 4000 in the spam box daily. I don't bother deleting as there are just too many to contend with. I also receive some spam in my regular inbox- no surprise considering the purpose for this account is to manage subscriptions and such.

well.. some recent spam that has ended up in my regular account in mass amounts has been in spanish, french or german- and/or has been in the context of international business ('be our foreign financial officer', etc) and I have received a ton of mail pertaining to dating sites of ALL kinds.

"eroticy dating" --'Hot xxx dating' (is it any other way? haha)
"cherish dating" --'Interactive Adult dating'
"single christians" -- 'where Christians meet'
"thirty plus singles" ((im not at the plus yet!!!!!!!!))
"perry suarez- naked dating club- Our members get laid" HAHAHAHA
"real mature singles" 'find love after 50'

oh and the list goes on..

"wealthy men" --this one kinda weirded me out. I thought it was crazy. I posted a link to in in the chat the other day. Anyone set up an account? haha

www.wealthymen.com

anyway, seeing how I didn't sign up for anything (I swear its for research-- at least at this point in time. That Perry Suarez seems pretty promising, haha)- I wonder if it is coincidental that I am receiving all of this email after I used the gmail search option.

maybe it is coincidental.

maybe not.

maybe I will try another search. What do you suggest???

maybe i'll take another look at the privacy policy..

or maybe I will send off an email to Sergey, ala (e:twisted) style ;)

(i have a pic of you dressed in drag, man!!!!!)

uncutsaniflush - 07/25/06 15:32
I get between 3 to 5 spam messages, never in my in-box, a week out of about 100 to 120 emails a week.

I don't get any spam into my in-box, it's always filtered into the spam folder. Based on what you say (e:ajay), my spam percentage, no matter where it ends up, is about half of yours on yahoo.

Personally, I don't trust any major purveyor of free email services to protect my privacy.

I've got several web-based email accounts other than gmail and none of them are based in the U.S.

I encourage everyone who is uncomfortable with google to not use it. There are lots of other search engines and lots of other free webmail services.
ajay - 07/25/06 11:23
Since I'm in the thick of things, let me just throw a few generalities out there without the risk of being sued by G.


You are right on the money. G's spam-detection can be influenced by your searches. Things that are spam are no longer classified as spam if they appear to be related to your search.


This whole "Don't Be Evil" thing is a sham. And I say this objectively.


I have a GMail account too, and 90% of the messages that land up in my inbox are spam. In contrast, less than 10% of spam makes it into my Yahoo inbox.


(e:uncutsaniflush), I would recommend trying Yahoo again. The new Yahoo Mail Beta is very sweet.
uncutsaniflush - 07/24/06 23:32
fwiw, I don't get as much spam as (e:leetee) does on gmail.

For some reason, I don't get as much spam on any email server as most people I know.

In my experience, the worst spam was on yahoo from about 1997 to 2001 when I stopped using yahoo.

I wish I could tell you what I do right.

But I have no idea. But I get lots less spam than most people.

07/25/2006 22:28 #35995

my eyes are buggin'
Category: nerd
nerdy self observations ahead...

I used to dislike reading a lot of information from a computer screen. Most of the time I would print it out for the comfort of reading from something in my hands. I am talking about reports, chapters, and other documents of length.

I'd say that the time spent in Grad school changed that along with changing habits and interests. First from necessity and practicality then from an ever increasing love of all things computer related.

Its always been there, now I have found the outlet and know-how.

Ok, so these past two weeks (ok, two years) I have had to read some pretty heavy material. Often I read what I thought I needed to depending on the book. This weekend I started a good size school book that I needed to read in its entirety for an upcoming writen review, analysis and application paper. I thought my eyes were going to fall out of my head! When I turned to the computer screen instead to read, my eyes were happy again.

Before, when I used to print out lengthy sources of information, it was partly due to that reason. It made my eyes feel funky to ready a lot from the computer screen. I find some humor in this change. After a few hours (days?) of reading, I adjusted to reading from a book again. I mean, I read my school books, but I was trying to get this all read in a few days-- which I succeeded (YAY)-- along with the other readings and assignments and such.

Last week, I needed to work my way through a book that, while fascinating-- it was OMG heavy. I loved it-- but that meant I had to try to keep my mind from wandering, or it would take so much longer to get through the material. I guess, my mind wandering serves a purpose. I tend to find myself assimilating and accomodating the information as I read it-- so I pause and think about how it fits into things..

Well, in order to fully grasp and remember the material, I found myself plugging it into mathamatical formulas. I have little equations jotted throughout the book. Now, I am not particularly mathamatically inclined. Heck, I'd consider myself mathamatically challenged. Yet I find myself doing things like this. As I can visualize things after seeing them, I have found this useful- among other styles of notes, etc. Sometimes (ok, often) I figure things out without actually knowing how. I'm picking things up along the way-- it is a normal occurance.
So while my middle school/high school/ college math aptitude was less than stellar-- I would be very much interested in revisiting applications that were once completely lost to me. I learn quick, I tend to 'get' things and I enjoy trying new things-- so why not?!! Whats the point? just to learn.. I wont ever stop.

Ok.. so I am working my way through this book.. when at some point the writer is reiterating a theory and plugs it into a--guess what? --mathamatical formula-- which--- looks like mine. OK, so mine was tweaked and looked even better, imo. I thought, ok, thats cool--I am thinking beyond the material, understanding the relationships, etc-- still a norm for me-- but the math formula thing has been recent (past year). Probably seems elementary to you brilliant mathamaticians!

..but I am humored.

so maybe a math class is in my future? not sure if I can find something like that.. might need to start off with some 7th graders!

Maybe I will dust off the GED book that I accidently bought when I thought I picked up a GRE book!!! HAHA Not sure if I ever told that story.. It had two of the three letters right? so thats 2/3.. hey, I might do alright afterall. hahahaha

Its after 10pm already. Time to get ready for bed and the work day...

be good-- keep learning, questioning and unlearning :)

Carey