The Land of Pleasantville

I was surprised when I awoke on Monday morning to see snow. I thought the snow was over and spring was coming by the sound of the birds, but then the groundhog did predict six more weeks of winter.

Chris has been working on his drawing projects. Here is the link to his latest masterpiece.

Recently I started reading The Egyptian by Mika Waltari. It is the story of Sinuhe, the son of Senmut and it takes place at the time of the 18th Dynasty. It was a New York Times Bestseller, and was made into a movie in 1954.

I have also been trying to keep myself busy writing, I wrote the following articles, Role Model: Chark Bartowski of Chuck,
Role Model: Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery of Private Practice, Role Model: Salomoneus of Hercules; Legendary Journeys, Role Model: Cordelia Chase of Angel, Role Model: Winifred Burkle of Angel, and A Reminder for the Young and Old.

I found a new place to follow what is going on in the world, Twitter. The information is really quite interesting. I also follow digg.

This weekend I made meatloaf for my boyfriend Chris, Pleasantville Leave it To Meatloaf to be exact.


Here is dessert. Couldn't go without that Starbucks Red Velvet cupcake.

I have been working on a couple of projects -- designing packaging for a box, new business cards, and a cross-stitch project. I also have a piece of jewelry I am working on. Part of life is about keeping busy and meeting people.

Valentine's Day and Other Goodies

Recently I started reading the OptiMystic's Handbook by Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain. I love their way of thinking. It talks about Optimysticism. According to the book,

Optimysticism is the choice we make not only to experience the best of this world but also to see beyond this world, into eternity, and in doing to live the mystery to the fullest here on earth.

It is very interesting, and reminds everyone the best way to look at life in part is through the eyes of a child among other things. It is worth reading.

I also published another article, Role Model: Lois Lane of Smallville.

For Valentine's Day my boyfriend and I shared in the preparation of our special dinner. He cooked us a flank steak, and I cooked up some Earthy Mashed Potatoes and vegetables. This is our second time having these potatoes and they are excellent.

For dessert I had a Vanilla Bean Cupcake from Starbucks. I would have loved to have one of their red velvet cupcakes but there were none available. The cupcakes are scrumptious. I am not a big dessert person, but the Red Velvet Cupcakes are definitely to die for.

I also purchased this mug. I have wanted one of their state/country mugs for a while. When I stumbled upon this mug I knew it was a keeper. I just had to have it.

My boyfriend is an artist and loves to use his pencils to the very end. Here is a page with some of his artwork. He went to design school. I am so bad I hate it when I lose a pencil or pen. I am the same way but I am the writer. He introduced me to a new toy to add to my pencil collection.

General's "The Miser" Pencil Extender. I bought it online on Ebay. It is very handy. They sell them in Arts and Crafts Stores and Artists stores. I wish they sold them in stationary stores.

That is all for now, until next time.

Shopping for Chicken

Last night Chris, my boyfriend, and I had to make a trip to North Haven to UPS. While we were in the area Chris felt we should stop at Circuit City to see what the mark downs were. I gave in and we went in. The child at heart that I am, couldn't resist purchasing the movie, Enchanted which I was able to get for 25% off. Chris was able to get a nice price on some monitors.

I published another article about a new item I have hanging up in the apartment, The Practical and Fashionable Memo Board. Chris made it for me.
I cooked dinner this evening...Hunter's Chicken with Rosemary. Here is the recipe. I always like trying new recipes. The chicken smelled wonderful while it was cooking in the kitchen. The recipe calls for sea salt and I was really interested in trying it. We used chicken thighs for the meal. It was really easy to make. Most of the cooking required was stirring and browning the chicken skins. It took about an hour to make.

HUNTER'S-STYLE CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY

Serves 6

4-pound chicken, cut in 8 or 10 pieces

1½ teaspoons coarse sea salt or kosher salt,

or to taste

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

8 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced in half

2 short branches fresh rosemary with lots of needles

½ teaspoon peperoncino flakes or to taste

4 cups (or a 35-ounce can) canned Italian plum

tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, crushed by hand

Rinse the chicken, and pat the pieces dry. Season all over with 1 teaspoon salt.

Pour the olive oil in the pan, and set over medium-high heat. Lay chicken pieces in the pan, skin side down, to brown for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn them over and brown another 2 to 3 minutes. Scatter the sliced garlic into the hot fat, in between the chicken pieces, then drop in the rosemary stems, and sprinkle with peperoncino.

Keep turning the chicken pieces until they're nicely browned all over, 10 minutes or so, then pour in the tomatoes. Slosh the tomato can with a cup of water, and pour that in, too. Sprinkle over it another ½ teaspoon salt, raise the heat, and turn and stir the chicken in the tomato juices as they come to a boil.

Cover the pan, leaving it a crack ajar, and adjust the heat to maintain a steady bubbling in the pan; cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and turning the chicken. Remove the cover and cook another 20 minutes or more, until the chicken is tender and cooked through and the tomato sauce is slightly reduced but still loose.

We also had rice, and Broccoli with Cheese Sauce.

Chris said the chicken was his winner! Almost just like his mother use to make.

It is Time for My Treatment

At the age of 21 I was diagnosed with Mediterranean anemia. As a result I have to go for treatments at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven. I visit the Father Michael J. McGiveny Center for Cancer Care.
I spend about an hour and a half at the facility. They usually give me a hospital couch. Oftentimes when I am there I spend my time reading. It is a good time to catch up on some reading. The only person needed to attend to me is a nurse. Basically I am hooked up to an IV. This time was a little unusual as they were very busy so I sat in a regular chair.
Before they begin my treatment they have to check my state of health. This of course is when they check your body temperature and blood pressure. You should recognize the unit or something like it.
Once I am checked out then it is time for the treatment. The give me Ferric Gluconate and they use...
this unit which feeds it through system using this machine....
This all takes a little more time then I want during my day but then it is a necessity. I don't enjoy the needles but in some ways the more needles you receive the more you get use to it, even if I don't really care for the pinch I receive in the very beginning.

Sometimes I am able to talk with other patients who are also receiving treatments. Most of them are cancer treatments who are there much longer than I. It they allow me, I take the time to learn more about them. At times I can be a little talkative but it allows me to learn.

My First Entry

This is my very first blog entry, but this is in no way my first time writing online. I have always thought about blogging, but it was Annette Bednosky who convinced me too. I have articles on Suite 101.com as well as on Associated Content and Triond. My most recent articles have been on role models Ling Woo from Ally McBeal, James Olson from Smallville and Hilda Suarez from Ugly Betty. I am also working on a fiction novel.

At the moment I am reading Jane's House by Robert Kimmel Smith.

I also enjoy cooking and trying different recipes.

Although I do go out I spend a lot of time at my computer at times. I work part time at home, and part time for an engineer who makes medical devices.

When I am not working I am making jewelry. Here are some of my creations...


















Here is a necklace I created













and here are some wine glass charms I made.

As you can see I love to be creative and I love to explore.