Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Compliance

Got this in the mail at work recently. Now the government is involved? Lovely.


(Don't get it? Click here.)

Friday, April 23, 2010

Whoa!

After a whirlwind IoM, I got back to work on Tuesday only to be hit immediately with a mail server problem I was completely unequipped to handle. I tell you, nothing build one's confidence quite like mucking about randomly in the company's mail server in hopes of accidentally hitting the switch that will make everything all better. As usual, after flailing around for a day or two my elbow hit something and the problem ceased. Better lucky than smart, every time.

It didn't help that I had a Class I travel hangover. Have I mentioned that I am a real pussy when it comes to air travel? On any given descent, I have about a 50% change of being able to clear my ears, my ankles swell (thanks, Mema!) and jet lag kicks my ass every time. Yeah, I'm a real treat as a traveling companion. But the swelling has finally subsided (hello, anklebones!) along with most of the whining. Now that I'm starting to think clearly again, I can start thinking about filing a proper trip report next week. Trust me, it will be worth the wait.

In the meantime, rest assured that we had a wonderful visit Back East with Evil Twin and Co. and we rocked the IoM of the Century in style. Wait until you see the pix!
 

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Beware the Ides!

It's a month late, but we're leaving TOMORROW to go Back East to celebrate the 25th Anniversary (more or less) of the Ides of Meatloaf with Evil Twin and Co. It's the first time in probably 20 years we've celebrated it together so it will be extra-special.

You can read the back story through the link above, but in short, it's our paen to Mid-century convenience foods, a celebration of Mid-century, Middle American cuisine in all its dehydrated, canned, and gelled glory. We remember fondly the era when plastic was king, Tang was a healthy beverage, and green Jello with pears counted as a vegetable. The centerpiece of the celebration -- the glorious Meatcake -- is a tribute to the meatloaves of our youth.

Here are the wrap-ups from 2008 and 2009. This year, ET has contacted the food editor from her local newspaper, so who knows what might happen? It might even become news!

What are we bringing this year, for this most momentous celebration? Mr. B insists on a classic family recipe from his youth, the iceberg wedge with Thousand Island dressing, complete with hard-boiled egg. It was Dwight Eisenhower's favorite, you know. I was drawing a blank until I remembered my MIL's recipe for Spamburgers, a delicacy made of Spam, Velveeta, and hard-boiled eggs run through a meat grinder then bound with mayo. Or Miracle Whip, if you want to be authentic. The concoction is spread on the bottom of a (white, soft) hamburger bun and broiled. I think it will be the perfect appetizer. We could even cut them into little shapes!

I suspect that I will have a full (burp!) report next week, complete with photos. Costumes aren't a part of the original tradition, but the East Coast Chapter instituted an apron contest a few years back and I think it's a grand idea. Wait until you see the apron I bought off etsy - it's gorgeous! And Mr. B will be rocking his brand new 100% acrylic argyle vest. With a short-sleeved white shirt, of course.

So if you have a notion this weekend, whip up a meatloaf and a Jello mold, or some other prized quick-n-dirty comfort food from your youth, and raise a glass to the Ides of Meatloaf. And tell me what you made, ok?
 

Friday, April 2, 2010

Spring Peepers

I'm officially letting myself off the hook for an Easter celebration this year. I don't do the church thing, Young Son will be with the Ex this Sunday morning, and I figure my ass really does not need a large bag of malted milk robin eggs in the house, no matter how much it begs. I'm a heathen and I'm OK with that.

But as a good heathen, accustomed to cherry-picking traditions to suit my whims, there are a few Easter traditions I can't part with. One is dyeing eggs, and the other is...

Peep jousting!

..:: crickets ::..

You know, two Peeps, toothpicks, paper plate, microwave? No? Then watch this.



Never liked to eat them -- they rank right up there with those orange circus peanuts (and I do mean rank!) -- but I sure do love to nuke 'em. Plus, I have a sentimental attachment to Peep jousting: it was one of the very first cool things I learned about on the interwebs, so long ago that I can't even tell you how long ago it was.

BTW, Peeps taste much better nuked as long as they're not burnt. Think barely-roasted marshmallows with a sugary, crunchy coating and a lingering chemical aftertaste. Yum.

If you can't stand the thought of potentially stinking up the microwave (really, it's not a problem if you don't let them burn), you can still get your Peep on. Just click the pic or the link to enjoy The Washington Post's fourth annual Peep diorama competition, Peep Show IV.


Peep on, my peeps. You now have all the tools you need to have a Peep-a-licious weekend.
 

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Gotcha!


It's an oldie, but it still makes me laugh. :)