Archive for December, 2006

Thursday & Friday

Published by kindli on December 30, 2006 in California, adventures and family. 0 Comments

Thursday Gavin, Stephen, Megan and I went to The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.


There we saw The Quilts of Gee’s Bend, and The Sculpture of Ruth Asawa: Contours in the Air. The quilts were unconventional, and the sculpture was amazing.

After the museum we drove around San Fransisco so Megan could take pictures for her photo class.

We also stopped by at the outdoor ice rink so Megan could get pictures showing movment. While Gavn and Megan played with their cameras, Stephen showed me the large wire sculpture in the reception area of the nearby hotel.

Friday we finished cataloging Gavin’s books. There are now over 800 books in our LibraryThing.

Tuesday/Wednesday, friends & pictures

Published by kindli on December 28, 2006 in California, adventures and friends. 0 Comments

Out with friends in the Palo Alto area.

Downtown Palo Alto with Dana, we had lunch at Penisula Creamery

Sanford Shopping Center with Elizabeth, exchanged some gifts, and had a good time.

Castro Street with Sara, we walked up it, down it and back to the car, then had dinner at Pizz’a Chicago.

GAVCA

Published by kindli on December 26, 2006 in California, adventures, books and family. 0 Comments

In what can only be described as a fit of madness, Gavin and I headed out to the “cottage” to catalogue his books to see which ones we wanted to keep and which ones could mysteriously disappear from the face of the earth.

The “cottage” started off in the 1940s as a tool shed, then later someone added windows and inner walls a little later on. It would’ve been nice if they’d remembered to add insulation.

With space heaters running, I huddled over my computer and began to enter the books Gavin deemed worthy of taking back to Boston. Apparently there are more books in storage behind the cottage. Those are a project for another day (most likely tomorrow unless something more exciting -warmer- happens).

Unless the book was particularly special (signed or very very very old) it got tagged with GAVCA (Gavin California, there are 113 so far) and you can view the newly added books at our LibraryThing.

Carothers Conversation Cards

Published by kindli on December 25, 2006 in California, adventures, family and friends. 0 Comments

Every year the Carother’s family goes to visit their friends the Hess family. This year, seeing as I’ve married into the Carother’s family, I was brought along for an evening of conversation, food and adventure.

Megan, Gavin & Kindli

On our way to the Hess House we stopped and took some pictures around Fort Point and the Golden Gate Bridge, we also took Winston for a walk.

Once at the Hess’ we took a walk and Joan pointed out where Dulce used to live, and we saw where Jonathan and Tim went to high school. After that we had appetizers, a veggie tray with dip, and cheeses, followed by stew and salad.

Kindli, Gavin, Emma, Jonathan

After dinner the fun really started: every year Dulce creates a “new fun game” to play after dinner, this year it was Carothers Conversation Cards.

Dulce had made up dozens of cards with “conversation topics” on them, we went around the table and each picked one randomly, we could answer the question ourselves, or pass the question on to someone else. The questions frequently caused more laughter than conversation.

Some of the questions were unique, some of the questions made people blush, and some of the questions were just plain odd. Some of the highlights included:

They are going to make a movie of your life, who would you want to play you? I asked Gavin that and he quickly replied “Hugh Jackman.” Then I asked who would play me… and he said “You would play you.”

If someone was to describe you as a car, what make and model would you be? Stephen answered “A Rambler.”

What would you like to be healed of? and If you were President of the United States, what changes would you make?

It made for quite an evening.

Merry Christmas.

The Joys of Travel

Published by kindli on December 25, 2006 in adventures and travel. 0 Comments

There is something increasingly less magical about travel. I’m not quite sure exactly what, but I have some ideas:

- Taking off your shoes to go through airport security. In December, in Boston, the airport is not the warmest place, walking through the metal detector in just socks is an unpleasant experience.

- 3oz. toiletries in 1 quart zip-loc baggies. The little toiletries that looked so cute and fit so perfectly in their little carrier loose their allure when jammed into a TSA approved 1-quart zip-loc baggie.

- The CNN TVs. Everywhere CNN News drones in the background. Never mind several of the segments were recorded three weeks ago, or that no one considers the Rosie O’Donnel/Donald Trump feud over Miss USA to really be newsworthy, or the “Snowman Hate-crimes” (a story about vandalism) and the “Kidnapped Baby Jesus” (who went on a road trip)… how are these things news?

- The constant security updates over the loud speakers. We know if we see unattended baggage or suspicious behavior we should report it, we are also well aware that you need to put your toiletries in zip-loc baggies, and that we need to show a valid I.D. at nearly every turn.

- Getting to the airport early because you anticipated worse traffic/a larger crowd then having everything run fairly smoothly leaving you with a 1.5 hour wait for the flight. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, when Boston Logan wants to charge $8 for a day of their “state of the art” wireless internet it really isn’t worth paying that for 1.5 hours of use.

And those are just the joys of the airport, once you’re on the airplane the fun continues.

- Paying for food (on the airplane). Airplane food used to be free, admittedly it was bad, but at least it was free. Today on American Airlines, you can buy a “sandwich” $5 or a “snack box” $4. I didn’t feel like paying for either, so I ate my snickers bar. At least the drinks are still free. Southwest needs to fly in and out of Boston, I like complimentary peanuts.

- Paying for headphones. Like food, headphones used to be free, on some international flights they still are, but on most domestic flights they’re about $2. You could use your own headphones, but they don’t work quite as well with the system (at least not the movie channels and you have to wiggle them oddly to get stereo to work).

- Obscure movies. Although some flights have blockbuster hits (one flight I was on had TITANIC), most flights continue to have movies most people have never ever ever heard of. Although I just saw the preview of tonight’s movie, I have already forgotten the title, but I do know it stars Ian McKlellan, that guy from “Thank you for Smoking” (at least I think it was him), and Brittany Murphy.

- Middle seats. I hate middle seats, I prefer the aisle or the window, but the middle is awkward. There is no legroom, there is no easy escape to the bathroom, there is no window to look out of, there is no much redeeming about the middle seat.

- Turbulence. While not always an issue on all flights, turbulence (or the lack there of) can really make a flight experience. An unexpected bump at the wrong time can send your drink (or the dregs of it) into your lap.

- People who read over your shoulder while you’re typing. Like the woman sitting on my left. It is really obnoxious, glancing over is one thing, blatantly reading is another. That also goes for the guy behind me next to the window (Gavin, I know you’re peeking at what I’m typing)!

On the bright side, flying is still cheaper, faster and more efficient than taking the train. We actually looked into taking Amtrac from Boston to Palo Alto, it would’ve cost over three times as much as flying and taken about a week to do.

So, here I sit, under the (still complimentary) fleece blanket, curled in my sweater, warming my hands on my laptop. Thank god for OS 9 classic and the original Oregon Trail.

Ice Cream in 3 Nights

Published by kindli on December 21, 2006 in cooking. 0 Comments

For Christmas Gavin got me accessories for my Kitchenaid Stand Mixer, ice-cream maker accessories.

To save on wrapping paper I didn’t wrap it when it arrived, I just stuck a bow on the box and put it next to the tree. It sat there, tempting us, we caved. Saturday we picked up the necessary extra ingredients: more eggs, cream and half & half.

Last night we completed part one: mixing the stuff together and letting it chill for eight hours; this evening we completed part two: putting it in the freezer bowl and mixing it; tomorrow, we complete part three (or rather, we start part 3) the tasting of the final product.

Part one was messy, sauce pans don’t have little pouring spouts (neither did the mixer bowl). Part two was a little less messy, the bowl we’d chilled it in had a spout, but getting the frozen ice-cream from the freezer bowl into the Gladwear container was a bit more challenging.

Right now the consistency is like soft-serve (the stuff around the edges was more like ice-cream) and incredibly creamy. The taste is amazing, we made basic vanilla and added cookie dough chunks (from the Toll House open-and-bake cookies that Gavin bought).

Tomorrow afternoon we’ll taste the final product. I get the feeling it is going to be a while before we buy ice-cream at the store again.

Above: Gavin, with the mixer in action

Apartment Under Siege

Published by kindli on December 20, 2006 in apartment. 0 Comments

The downstairs neighbors went out of town and asked us to cat-sit Polly, their mid-sized female cat. Polly has never been left home alone very long so they asked if we could house Polly in our apartment during the duration of their trip.

We said yes.

Polly arrived last night around 7 pm, she complained loudly for about two hours and then disappeared under the bed. We thought she’d gone away for the night.

We were wrong.

Around 11, when we finally got to bed, there was a yowling outside our door. I was opposed to letting Polly into the bedroom, but Gavin won out in the end. I think his argument was “she’s probably lonely and wants to curl up with people” (or something to that effect).

At first we thought Polly needed food, or water. She had both. Then we thought she wanted to keep people company… and curl up and be friendly. After all, Thomas curls up with sleeping people (unless he wants food, then he tries to eat your toes).


Polly just wanted to walk on us, complain, complain and complain some more. Finally, around 6 am Gavin tossed her out of the bedroom and shut the door. She sat outside our door and told us what she thought of her situation.

Gavin gave up and got out of bed at 6:20, I held out until 6:30.

Admittedly that is not the best picture of Polly, but I had to chase her around the office w/the camera and she didn’t want to stand still

Eventually I’ll Fly Away

Published by kindli on December 17, 2006 in travel. 0 Comments

For Christmas, Gavin and I are flying to California. In preparation for this trip, I visited the TSA’s Permitted and Prohibited Items (Be Prepared for Enhanced Security - Smart Security Saves Time).

In looking over the lists, I began to wonder, why only three ounces? Why not five, or two and a third? I’m also curious as to who decided

“All liquids, gels and aerosols must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.”

That also seems a little arbitrary (just a little, or maybe it’s me).

In scrolling through the list, some of the prohibited items made sense, no gasoline, no swords, no Cheese in pressurized containers (in containers over 3 oz).

Cheese in pressurized containers? Does Cheeze-Wiz even make 3 oz. containers (and who brings it on an airplane)?

I also liked that “Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in a 3 oz. or smaller container and in your quart-size, zip-top plastic bag” are allowed past the security checkpoint.

Where do you get a 3 oz. drink these days? That’s what, 1/2 a juice box?

Also, how many companies actually MAKE 3 oz. or less sized products? I’ve found some Dove mini-shampoos & conditioners, a little hand lotion from Bath & Body Works, Secret makes little deodorants, the toothpaste companies have been doing it for years, but what about things like face scrub, or shower gel, or are you just stuck buying them at your end destination?

I am starting to think these new security measures are specifically designed to make carrying-on luggage such a miserable experiance everyone ends up checking their bags so that the bags can then be rummaged through (and subsequently lost in transit).

The only way to fly internationally is to check luggage and carry on as little as possible. On my last flight to Europe, Panda (my 21 year old teddy bear that makes an excellent in-flight pillow) was checked for explosives. Picture right.

Clearly the plot is to make flying such a miserable experiance that no one wants to do it anymore. Next year we’ll take the train to California.

Plain Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gavin is happy)

Published by kindli on December 17, 2006 in cooking and marriage. 0 Comments

I had a lovely blog post all typed up about chocolate chip cookies, then when I went to spell check, AppleWorks crashed and took the entry with it.

Gavin wanted regular, normal chocolate chip cookies, (as opposed to some of the more unique ones I’ve made recently, although he did admit they were “very very yummy”).

Because I am nice (and because tonight he’s playing WoW and I don’t have much else to do) I googled “good chocolate chip cookies” and found a link to the Joy of Baking’s chocolate chip cookie recipe.

I was even nicer and caved to Gavin’s request of “just a little raw cookie dough” (he got the mixer attachment with a few crumbs of dough still clinging to it). When he got it he asked “What kind of cookies?” “Good cookies.” Silly question.


Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar
3/4 cup (160 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups (420 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (270 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
Note:  Can add 1 cup of toasted and chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) with rack in center of oven.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.  Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter.  Add the white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes).  Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition.  Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.  Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated, adding the chocolate chips about half way through mixing.  If you find the dough very soft, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).  

For large cookies, use about a 2 tablespoon ice cream scoop or with two spoons, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough (35 grams) onto the prepared baking sheets.   Bake about 12 - 14 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. 

Cool completely on wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen - 3 inch round cookies

The cookies turned out very well. This time I was prepared: I had to extend the time to about 20 minutes (instead of the suggested 12-15) because of our problematic oven, I also tested the cookies with a turkey skewer to check for doneness.

I must admit, I am partial to the chocolate-chip orange cranberry cookies I made… they were really really good (I’m going to make them again).

IRONY UPDATE Gavin also prefers the chocolate-chip orange cranberry cookies I made over the chocolate chip cookies I made last night.

From now on, plain chocolate chip cookies will be from Nestle Toll House in the cute little pre balled dough packs and I’m just going to put them on the tray and bake them… better yet, GAVIN can bake them himself.

it is going to zig and zag and zig

Published by kindli on December 16, 2006 in Public Transportation and adventures. 1 Comment

I usually do not have company at the bus stop in the mornings on my commute to work, the other morning however, was quite different.

I was joined by a man and a young boy. The boy held a sippy-cup of juice, while the man held the child-sized gloves. The boy was probably around 3 or 4 years old, and much to the man’s distress, enjoyed balancing on the edge of the sidewalk.

The boy also pointed out “The MOOM is out! See the MOOM!” Indeed there was a sliver of moon showing above St. Anthony’s.

The boy then informed me, rather proudly, they were “going to take the bus, then the train, and it is going to zig and zag and zig” (with the appropriate exaggerated arm movements).

When prompted as to what bus they would ride, the boy proudly announced: “The EIGHT-SEVEN!” then chanted “EIGHT-SEVEN” several times to drive the point home.

They sat towards the back of the bus, but you could still hear the little boy eagerly telling his fellow passengers “We’re going to the TRAIN!” By train I think he meant subway, they got off at Davis Square.

In a way it was refreshing to see someone excited about public transportation. I wonder how he’ll feel about it 20 years from now.