Had an epic day yesterday though feel still full.....! While Easter is supposta be spent with your family B & I decided to-f-with tradition and just hosted something at our house. I love hosting things but constantly feel "pressure" to keep up with others and honestly that pressure usually stops me from having people over or turns me into a raving bitch when preparing for events. I will admit it: I am not a tidy person....seriously at any one time our house looks like a hot mess and I cannot understand how people can keep their houses neat. I covet others who let me into their homes when I stop by unannounced...knowing that this is one of my greatest fears because of dog hair, stray coke cans, and 10 pairs of shoes & sometimes socks laying in various parts of the house at any one time. I know its stupid and that none of my friends care, that this "standard" is again something society places on us females. Our worth measured by our housekeeping skills.
And while rationally I know it is total garbage the Idaho girl in me just can't shake that Betty Crocker image as the ideal....
So imagine how awesome it was to have loved ones over where we could laugh, break bread and whom I realized I loved enough to not worry about not completely wiped down cabinets or clean windows...it was fun to just be able to enjoy the moment.
To stop for a second and feel loved & laughter.
It is a feeling I carried over to today even though I am cramping and feel completely gross (I blame the 3 different pies and copious amounts of champagne...). I so quickly get into that competitive mode with other people from anything to body images, window treatments, even if my garden is planted, and if I planted enough & everything in between....I blame society and it constantly telling us that we are not good enough without X, Y, Z item.....and while I have overcome many of my "issues" in the past years this is one major area I need to tackle...
I don't really have a game plan....except I just want to be able to be comfortable in my own skin, own what I got (and what I haven't) and enjoy where I am....so yes that is my new goal.
I almost feel that this goal will get fulfilled as I live life a bit more yet I look forward to the day that dog hair, and coke cans aside when a friend stops by I let them in and don't worry that they will judge the lack of fancy serving ware or in style furniture. That instead I will just feel thankful for that friendship.
To realizing what really is important.
Lacy
Bees.....
So we got our bees.
It was epic.
I had done all the research, read tons of books, watched youtube videos galore and even went to a class and yet none of that prepared us.
We received our Nuc from Living Scape yesterday late afternoon, here in Portland it, like everyday, was cloudy, raining and cold. We asked the guy if we could install in the rain and he said yes, let them fly around a bit and then they should be okay to put into your new hive.
I don't blame the guy at all. I actually don't know what went wrong or why....I have been looking around the interwebs all day for someone who has had a similar experience and haven't found one yet...maybe they are too embarrassed?!!?
Everyone on the web talks about how easy it was installing their Nuc, don't even need gloves or a suit... definitely don't need the smoker!
So imagine our surprise when we opened our box to this:
There literally was nothing to grab on to so we could transfer them! I "suggested" (ok bossed) Brent to just "Man" up and lift them up. He had been complaining that he was being stung but he was decked out in this:
I mean how can a bee sting you when you are wearing a whole body suit of thick canvas, gloves up to your armpits and he is even wearing a t-shirt and jeans underneath! He said he needed a break...even though he hadn't lifted one frame!
Now here is something they don't tell you...
Even though you might be done with the bees that does not mean they are done with you.....it takes a while to get them completely off of you and they are pretty sneaky things, hiding in cracks and folds and such.
So I got frustrated. Borrowed a veil and gloves from a friend and said, "lets do this!". This lasted for four frames....with Brent getting stung repetitively in his shoe..the little bastarts had figured out how to go under the gathering of his pant leg, then go under his jeans, into his socks and then finally into his shoe.
Here is something else they don't tell you...
When one figures out how to do this they all figure out how to do this...so Brent is already getting stung and tons more bees are now heading to his leg! I could see the finish line though with only one frame left and tell him we are almost done....
And then I realized that bees had gotten into my veil...
and yes I read the articles, books, watched the videos
All of which tell you to not freak out...
Well sorry but instinct prevailed and I freaked the shit out!
I ripped that thing off started running, threw the camera down and bolted.
If you know anything about bees you know to move slowly, calmly.....I forgot all that in about one second...
So as I am having my panic attack I get stung in the ear. Brent is now worried about me and getting stung as he walks towards me..
We calm down enough to again brush all the bees off and head back inside.
We take a 5 minute break, add WOOL socks to Brent's outfit..complete with his jeans now being tucked into those socks and we head back out.
It is 9pm now...
It is dark.
The bees are now calm...
Brent is able to lift the last frame with little to no problem, shove the top on and again brush the bees off and we are done.
DONE.
Did we inspect each frame for brood? honey? hell-to-the-no......we shoved that crap in there and left!
We went inside and started contemplating what we had done. We did research! We went to classes! We asked friends...
and yet none of it
NONE OF IT
had prepared us for this.
We thought about just setting the whole thing on fire
(PETA settle down...we aren't going to...today at least...)
But instead we counted B's stings (over 15) thanked the heavens that neither of us are allergic...we didn't even puff up and started laughing..
and drinking.
If you have not been to Pizza Fino do yourself a favor and go.
By the time we left (and I had 2 of their amazing pear inspired drinks) the memory of this experience was one of laughter and "well it can't get any worse" attitudes.
We don't blame the bees...we should of waited until nice weather, we now realize how wicked smart they are, and honestly from this point onwards we are going to always use the smoker.
We have a lot to learn. Books and such can only prepare you so much and so we are going to learn by experience and probably more classes.
So people of the world: If you got a Nuc and you got stung you are not alone!! Do not feel bad. The people of the internet of full of shit.
Lacy
It was epic.
I had done all the research, read tons of books, watched youtube videos galore and even went to a class and yet none of that prepared us.
We received our Nuc from Living Scape yesterday late afternoon, here in Portland it, like everyday, was cloudy, raining and cold. We asked the guy if we could install in the rain and he said yes, let them fly around a bit and then they should be okay to put into your new hive.
I don't blame the guy at all. I actually don't know what went wrong or why....I have been looking around the interwebs all day for someone who has had a similar experience and haven't found one yet...maybe they are too embarrassed?!!?
Everyone on the web talks about how easy it was installing their Nuc, don't even need gloves or a suit... definitely don't need the smoker!
So imagine our surprise when we opened our box to this:
Now here is something they don't tell you...
Even though you might be done with the bees that does not mean they are done with you.....it takes a while to get them completely off of you and they are pretty sneaky things, hiding in cracks and folds and such.
So I got frustrated. Borrowed a veil and gloves from a friend and said, "lets do this!". This lasted for four frames....with Brent getting stung repetitively in his shoe..the little bastarts had figured out how to go under the gathering of his pant leg, then go under his jeans, into his socks and then finally into his shoe.
Here is something else they don't tell you...
When one figures out how to do this they all figure out how to do this...so Brent is already getting stung and tons more bees are now heading to his leg! I could see the finish line though with only one frame left and tell him we are almost done....
And then I realized that bees had gotten into my veil...
and yes I read the articles, books, watched the videos
All of which tell you to not freak out...
Well sorry but instinct prevailed and I freaked the shit out!
I ripped that thing off started running, threw the camera down and bolted.
If you know anything about bees you know to move slowly, calmly.....I forgot all that in about one second...
So as I am having my panic attack I get stung in the ear. Brent is now worried about me and getting stung as he walks towards me..
We calm down enough to again brush all the bees off and head back inside.
We take a 5 minute break, add WOOL socks to Brent's outfit..complete with his jeans now being tucked into those socks and we head back out.
It is 9pm now...
It is dark.
The bees are now calm...
Brent is able to lift the last frame with little to no problem, shove the top on and again brush the bees off and we are done.
DONE.
Did we inspect each frame for brood? honey? hell-to-the-no......we shoved that crap in there and left!
We went inside and started contemplating what we had done. We did research! We went to classes! We asked friends...
and yet none of it
NONE OF IT
had prepared us for this.
We thought about just setting the whole thing on fire
(PETA settle down...we aren't going to...today at least...)
But instead we counted B's stings (over 15) thanked the heavens that neither of us are allergic...we didn't even puff up and started laughing..
and drinking.
By the time we left (and I had 2 of their amazing pear inspired drinks) the memory of this experience was one of laughter and "well it can't get any worse" attitudes.
We don't blame the bees...we should of waited until nice weather, we now realize how wicked smart they are, and honestly from this point onwards we are going to always use the smoker.
We have a lot to learn. Books and such can only prepare you so much and so we are going to learn by experience and probably more classes.
So people of the world: If you got a Nuc and you got stung you are not alone!! Do not feel bad. The people of the internet of full of shit.
Lacy
food.
The more I learn the more I want to just stop learning. I want to go back to that person eating lean cuisine and special K.....
I do not have kids but if/when I do I am gonna be one of those people who watches everything that goes in that little beans mouth. I am thankful my parents were slightly ahead of the curve with raw milk and meat from local farms but still was raised on candy, hamburger helper & convenience foods.
I sometimes wonder if all my efforts to eat food I don't have to worry about is worth it....it takes hours a week, it takes planning & canning (more time), it costs more $$.....
I watch something like this and yes it is all worth it. By doing this I am taking a stand and saying NO to government fucked up programs which support these horrible foods. I am saying NO to major corporations who are fucking over local farmers. I am saying NO to fucking up our world. I am saying NO to increased risks of cancer, increased insurance costs, a body full of toxic chemicals.
I am not perfect. I ate fake cheese today.....I am addicted to coffee creamer with some intense ingredients that are not easy to pronounce....BUT I am doing what I can. Slowly we are ridding our cabinets, our lives, from any products that support these horrible practices & in turn slowly kill us.
Now wishing the government would wake up.
I do not have kids but if/when I do I am gonna be one of those people who watches everything that goes in that little beans mouth. I am thankful my parents were slightly ahead of the curve with raw milk and meat from local farms but still was raised on candy, hamburger helper & convenience foods.
I sometimes wonder if all my efforts to eat food I don't have to worry about is worth it....it takes hours a week, it takes planning & canning (more time), it costs more $$.....
I watch something like this and yes it is all worth it. By doing this I am taking a stand and saying NO to government fucked up programs which support these horrible foods. I am saying NO to major corporations who are fucking over local farmers. I am saying NO to fucking up our world. I am saying NO to increased risks of cancer, increased insurance costs, a body full of toxic chemicals.
I am not perfect. I ate fake cheese today.....I am addicted to coffee creamer with some intense ingredients that are not easy to pronounce....BUT I am doing what I can. Slowly we are ridding our cabinets, our lives, from any products that support these horrible practices & in turn slowly kill us.
Now wishing the government would wake up.
Sneaky Sneaky......
Sometimes not having food money for the rest of the month is worth crazy surprises....
But I just HAD too....
It's gonna be life changing for a certain ridiculously dashing man in my life......
The worst is that I am gonna have to keep my mouth shut until his birthday....
Which is in September!!!!!
:::::::::::Crap:::::::::
I am gonna give you one hint:
Its for a 'dirty white boy' & 'it feels like the first time' I have attempted to keep a secret...
Fingers crossed I can 'faithfully' keep my trap shut....'don't stop believing' that I actually bought something with $30.00 fees associated with it......
Oy.
Lacy
But I just HAD too....
It's gonna be life changing for a certain ridiculously dashing man in my life......
The worst is that I am gonna have to keep my mouth shut until his birthday....
Which is in September!!!!!
:::::::::::Crap:::::::::
I am gonna give you one hint:
Its for a 'dirty white boy' & 'it feels like the first time' I have attempted to keep a secret...
Fingers crossed I can 'faithfully' keep my trap shut....'don't stop believing' that I actually bought something with $30.00 fees associated with it......
Oy.
Lacy
Thankful Tuesdays
1. Thank you sun for shining a bit today!
2. Thank you pups for cuddling and snoring adorably every time I sit on the couch.
3. Thank you box of organic veggies & fruit that was delivered today that I kind of forgot about...(it was like a lovely surprise gift!)
4. Thank you B.Jones for being such a stud muffin who says I can cook better than any of the chefs on Kitchen Nightmare and reminds me daily how much closer we are to boating season...
5. Thank you Teen Mom 2 for helping me chill for 2 hours without even noticing.
6. Thank you Grendel's Coffee House for such a lovely honey & cinnamon latte.
7. Thank you Mastercard for the opportunity for me to buy a plane ticket to reconnect with a friend in warm LA.
2. Thank you pups for cuddling and snoring adorably every time I sit on the couch.
4. Thank you B.Jones for being such a stud muffin who says I can cook better than any of the chefs on Kitchen Nightmare and reminds me daily how much closer we are to boating season...
5. Thank you Teen Mom 2 for helping me chill for 2 hours without even noticing.
6. Thank you Grendel's Coffee House for such a lovely honey & cinnamon latte.
7. Thank you Mastercard for the opportunity for me to buy a plane ticket to reconnect with a friend in warm LA.
Ridiculously Amazing Risotto
soooooooo........I sometimes dream of food and then when I awaken I just keep thinking about it until I must stop and make it. It seems to be happening more and more lately and I credit my ever broadening assortment of bulk foods that resides at my home (thanks to my buying club).
So this weekend was one of the first "feels sort of like summer isn't raining too much" kind of weekends in what seems like FOREVER and I dreamt of a Risotto that tasted like sunshine. So I thought I would share my recipe to hopefully bring sun to everyone!
(please note that all of this was just made up as I went so feel free to change it, add more of some and less of other, etc, etc)
Summer Risotto )
serves at least 4 good portions
2 cups of Bob's Red Mill Arborio Rice
6-8 cups of broth (I used chicken because that is all I had..veggie would be good too!)
1/4 cup sweet onion, finely minced (I think leeks would be amazing as well)
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 1/2 cups roasted beets*
some Basil chopped up
6-8 figs chopped up
Che'vre (soft goat cheese)..I used up about 4 ounces of it for 4 people.
* To Roast the beets I covered a pan in tinfoil and then placed beets on that and topped it with more tinfoil. I shoved the beets in a 400 degree oven until they were done (able to stick a fork in them). This took probably an hour and a half because I had some huge ass beets. You can do this before hand to save time. Some recipes state you can cut up the raw beets and cook them with the rice as you are making it...if you try that let me know if it works!
After they are roasted the skin should just slide off........either wear gloves or be prepared for pink fingers. Also I left the beets in pretty large chunks because I am sort of a beet addict...
Once that is done you can start the rice! Saute the onion in the butter & oil in a heavy pan over medium heat until soft. Add the rice (and if you are cooking the beets this way add those too) and cook over medium heat until the rice is well coated (2-3 mins). Now here is where your arm is going to get a good workout...or in my household the Mister is gonna be put to cooking duty! You slowly add 1/2 cup of the broth at a time until the liquid is completely absorbed before adding more. This requires constant stirring and when I make risotto it takes about 30-40 minutes and usually around 6 cups of broth...once you get past the 5 cup stage start to taste test it to see if it is done.
So this weekend was one of the first "feels sort of like summer isn't raining too much" kind of weekends in what seems like FOREVER and I dreamt of a Risotto that tasted like sunshine. So I thought I would share my recipe to hopefully bring sun to everyone!
(please note that all of this was just made up as I went so feel free to change it, add more of some and less of other, etc, etc)
Summer Risotto )
serves at least 4 good portions
2 cups of Bob's Red Mill Arborio Rice
6-8 cups of broth (I used chicken because that is all I had..veggie would be good too!)
1/4 cup sweet onion, finely minced (I think leeks would be amazing as well)
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 1/2 cups roasted beets*
some Basil chopped up
6-8 figs chopped up
Che'vre (soft goat cheese)..I used up about 4 ounces of it for 4 people.
* To Roast the beets I covered a pan in tinfoil and then placed beets on that and topped it with more tinfoil. I shoved the beets in a 400 degree oven until they were done (able to stick a fork in them). This took probably an hour and a half because I had some huge ass beets. You can do this before hand to save time. Some recipes state you can cut up the raw beets and cook them with the rice as you are making it...if you try that let me know if it works!
You want to keep adding broth until the rice is creamy tender, with a slightly firm center. You then want to remove it immediately from heat and serve right away!
Ok so when the rice was done I added the beets, dates, & basil to it until I felt that there was a good blend. I ended up not liking the basil in the dish but both males (who really eat anything) stated that they liked it in there. Sooooooo if I was making it again I would use slightly less basil, enough for the occasional bite or none at at all...up to you.
Then I dished it onto the plates and added the Chev're on top. (I am also addicted to Chev're and I do realize that there is probably like 9 servings on just this one plate but you can take that info and shove it...my stirring arm was super tired & required more cheese!)
I was hoping that by not cooking the beets in the risotto it would prevent the dish from turning pink but alas that was not the case. I served this with Bittman's Roasted Carrots with Scallion & Ginger Glaze
and some Ham steaks we received from Taylor-Made Farm which we bbq'ed, because it was fake summer of course. Kind of an eclectic dinner but really good! It made it seem like summer was here...
well until the next day when it rained...oy.
Next posting will be *hopefully* about our bees being delivered and our tiffany blue inspired apiary!
Lacy
