Learning to Cook…o.O

I always said I’d learn to cook when Mike and I could be together…

I guess it’s time.  I thought it might be nice to make Mike a meal the first night that we are together…but what to make?  I’ve been perusing Pinterest in an effort to find something…but I talk myself out of every recipe I find.

I could do something with chicken…but I don’t like to touch raw chicken. (Woman up, Erica!)

Ooh!  Mexican is easy right?  I can do tacos.  That only requires a little cooking.

I have to do it.  I have to.  Maybe I’ll learn a little more as I go on.  I know at one point you all gave me some awesome recipes.  I’m going go back through those.  Any other recommendations?

PS, look at this.  Buffalo Chicken Garbage Bread.  I could do this:

 

Time Out: Marshmallows Made Cool…by HIPSTERS?!

)(#*()#*%)&#)(%*)(!*@#$)*!@#(@_(%

…another article on gourmet marshmallows… This is not helping my bad mood tonight!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!  Marshmallows are the new “hip” thing?  Marshmallows.  Really.

ATTENTION HIPSTERS:  Don’t ruin marshmallows!!!!!

Do you remember when I told you that I can determine the future?  You know, just by my thoughts alone?  Like when I had a hard time finding maxi dresses, and all the sudden they were popular.  Or when I thought, “I’ll go nautical this summer” and all the sudden Target and every other blessed store had nautical-themed clothes all summer?

Well last night, I was jonesin’ for a marshmallow (not the vanilla or gingerbread ones I had left over from Christmas) but an honest-to-God Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallow.  Mike was in town and kind enough to go buy me a bag of the jumbo ones.  And then I get to work and read this bullshit.  Marshmallows are trendy.

Fucking hipsters...made me cuss.

Well now…marshmallows are trendy.  TRENDY!  Marshmallows can’t be trendy!  I mean, I’ll eat the strawberry ones, or the vanilla and gingerbread ones that are of the Kraft Jet-Puffed kind…but hipsters are ruining this.

Now marshmallows, the simple food that comes in a bag and makes the best part of s’mores, are available in trendy bakeries and cafes across the nation.

• Cinnamon marshmallows
• Strawberry basil marshmallows
• Chocolate rosemary marshmallows
• Cherry chocolate marshmallows
• Fruit and honey marshmallows
• Luscious Lemony Meringue or Caramel Swirl marshmallows

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

I’m staying on the marshmallow bandwagon, but I’m going to stick with the original.  Eff you, hipsters.

The real thing.

 

Shopping Success

We did it!  Mom and I have almost every single present bought for Christmas.  And wrapped!  The tree looks awesome.  I’ll get a picture of it when I go home next weekend.  I had so much fun with her, and with my poppa.  They’re the best.  Plus an unbeatable sale at the Gap.

I have a lot on my mind today.

I’m thankful that something worked out in my favor, and that an honest mistake was understood.

I’m excited to see Mike tonight.

I’m nervous for tomorrow.

I’m exhausted and ready for Christmas.

I’m high on carpet glue from the remodel ha ha.

And I’m hungry, so I’m going for sushi.

Later people.

 

I Hate to Cook

Many of my friends have food blogs.  And they seem to rejoice in the act (art?) of cooking.  Me?  I rejoice in drinking wine while Mike cooks.

I do not like to cook.  I love to bake…but I don’t like to eat what I bake.  I always end up giving it away.  But I don’t like to cook.  And here’s why:

I find it stressful. Incredibly stressful.  Especially if you’re cooking more than one thing at a time.  I respect all those who can move gracefully around a kitchen and nothing burns or falls apart or comes out crappy.  MOM.  Anyway, it’s stressful.  It’s a lot of running about, missing ingredients, spilling stuff on the counter, tasting as you go.

Who cares about presentation? The point of food is to keep you alive.  Yes, I want it to taste good.  But these people who fret over presentation?  I just don’t get it.  Garnish or not, it’s going to taste the same.  And I just don’t have time to stress over how it looks.  Slop it on the plate and eat it, I guess.  You’re just going to ruin it once you stick your fork in it anyway.

It’s a waste of money. For one person, that is.  I’m not about to buy a bunch of raw ingredients (hamburger, flour, bread crumbs, butter by the pound, blah blah blah) to cook for myself.  It will go to waste.  I will never use it all.  And I’ll be pissed when I have to throw it away.  Hence–perfectly portioned pre-made meals.  Or individually wrapped slices of cheese and so forth.  Stuff I don’t need to cook, but that will change drastically if I heat it up or something.

I just don’t like to eat. If I could get away with not eating, I would.  I’ve watched people make love to their hamburgers with their lips.  And I’ve watched my brother intricately put together a sandwich, close his mouth, and enjoy the mixture of flavors.  I’ve watched Mike run around the kitchen like Emeril, never looking happier, and then sit down and enjoy the fruits of his labor.  But not me.  I don’t get it.  I don’t like it.

It’s no fun to cook unless you’re cooking for someone. I know what you’re saying.  This chick wants to be a family woman (not necessarily a housewife, as working has proven to be quite a fun adventure) and she doesn’t know how to cook!  How will she feed her children?  Her husband?  Well let me tell you this.  Having these things completely eliminates all of the above reasons for which I hate cooking.  It wouldn’t be as stressful if I had a reason to cook–like sustaining my family.  And presentation…well, I still don’t care about that.  The waste of money?  Buying raw items to feed four people would certainly ensure that they don’t go to waste, especially if I’m packing lunches for my man to take to work.  Not liking to eat? I hope that someday I can learn to enjoy eating.  It’s a ways off, though.

On that note, good day.

 

A Photo Update

As promised.  PHOTOS!!!

FIRST, though, I went with the Beautiful Ohio license plate (the green one) because the cardinal wasn’t on site, and it was an extra $35, not $15.

Second, check out this owl!  🙂  Mike’s family threw me a surprise graduation party.  This was part of the cake:

And as for food creations:

Breakfast, and Joan Didion (which I haven’t picked up since).

Blueberry muffins, for all your blueberry needs.

My first casserole! Taco Twist–substituted with vegetable based noodles, fat free sour cream, and lean beef.  🙂  Mike actually ate it!

And my recently hung diplomas. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!

And just for fun:

My collection of birds.  Feel free to add.  Mostly owls, since they call me Hoot.  🙂  When I was little, I used to ask who everyone was.  My dad got so tired of hearing, “Who?” from my mouth, he asked me, “Do your feet fit a limb?”  Every since then, I’ve been called Hoot.

And I’ve always called this guy Tassel Dude.  🙂

A more domestic update to follow.  And perhaps some faith stuff.  🙂