Ouran Day with Marlow

     Hello there, viewers.

     It's been a little while since my last post.  The only excuse I have for this, is because I've been lazy.  Fie upon me.

     I had quite a lot of fun the other day; my friend Marlow came over on Wednesday, and spent the night.  Occasionally, we choose a theme for the days we spend together, and this time, it was Ouran High School Host Club. 

     For those of you who aren't familiar with it, Ouran High School Host Club (otherwise known as Ouran, or O.H.S.H.C) is a Japanese anime about a studious, hard-working girl who's somewhat financially disadvantaged, who manages to gain a scholarship to a prestigious academy called Ouran.  Instead of having the quiet high school life she anticipated, she accidentally becomes indebted to a group of wealthy school boys who are part of a very unusual club, and is therefore forced to join them in their shenanigans. 

      It's facetious, and entirely nonsensical, but Marlow and I enjoy it.  We never tire of discussing the best scenes, and the ridiculous scenes, and our favourite characters, and our dozens of little inside jokes pertaining to it, and so on.  It's quite nostalgic for us, as it reminds us of the early days of our friendship.  Cheers to the good old days. 

     Now, when watching Ouran, it is impossible (at least we find it so) to watch it without coffee, Asian noodles, green tea, cake, and Bossa Nova drinks.  If you are familiar with this series, I think you'll understand why.

 

 

It was a fun little tea party we had.  The cups we used are part of a Japanese tea service my mum bought for me from a local antique shop, and the pretty spoons were part of a set from Avon, that were part of my grandma's spoon collection.  More nostalgia...

We had a jolly-good time reliving this little "tradition" of ours.   We have a great many traditions; long may they live and prosper.

Here's Marlow and I, being loons.  See that?  I didn't even have to censor out our faces.  Mobile phones...

Chocolate Pots de Crème

     Pots de crème (pots of cream) is one of my favourite desserts.  It's quite similar to crème brûlée, but without the topping of broiled sugar.  It's very versatile, and can be made in many flavours.   This particular recipe results in a lovely "death-by-chocolate" experience.

• 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup half-and-half, or cream (I generally use cream)
• 2 egg yolks (just the yolks, mind you)
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons Irish cream such as Bailey's, if desired.  (I opt in favour of this addition)
• Dash of salt

     Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Heat chocolate chips and cream in a pan, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth; cool slightly.  Beat remaining ingredients; gradually stir in the chocolate mixture (start by adding only a few spoons full at a time, before adding in the rest.  This process is called tempering, and results in smoother texture).  When the mixtures are well combined, pour into four 6-oz ramekins (small, ceramic baking dishes).  Place ramekins in a baking pan.  Pour boiling water into pan half-way up the sides of the ramekins.  Bake for 20 minutes; let them remain in the pan until the water cools, then remove them and refrigerate for 4 hours.

     Since I needed more than four to share with my family, I doubled the recipe.  While they were in the oven, I and whipped the remaining cup of cream with about a tablespoon of sugar, and a teaspoon of vanilla, and then I sliced and sweetened fresh strawberries.  Before I put the desserts in the refrigerator, I added about 4 strawberry slices, and a tablespoon or so of whipped cream to each.

Cajun Mac 'N' Cheese

     Here's another recipe I'm keen on.  T'is rather a cut above a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese.

• pinch of salt
• a package of "wagon-wheel" pasta (I used fiori, which is similar in shape and size)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 6 oz diced andouille sausage (andouille is hard to come by in my area, so I substituted with a package of ground Italian sausage)
• 2-3 thinly-sliced scallions
• 1 cup chopped roasted red peppers
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (I use a brand called "Slap Ya Mama".  If you cannot obtain any, the seasoning is merely composed of salt, garlic, black pepper, red pepper, and white pepper)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 8 oz cubed sharp cheddar (more or less, as you please.  I prefer more)

 
     Boil a pot of salted water.  Cook pasta about 1 minute less than directed.  Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, and drain the rest.  Meanwhile, combine olive oil and sausage in a large skillet; cook over high heat, stirring until brown.  Stir in the scallions and peppers until soft, about 3 minutes.  Add spice and flour; cook and stir for 2 more minutes.  Whisk in milk and buttermilk and continue whisking until sauce is thick.  Add the pasta, cheese, and reserved water to the skillet.  Reduce heat to medium-low, toss the pasta in the sauce, and cook about 1 more minute.

Bolognese

     Good morrow, viewers all.

     Fairly recently, before the unseasonably hot weather assaulted my town, I pulled out my recipe book, and made a few of my favourite dishes that I had not made for quite some time.  I shall share them with you.

     This first one, bolognese, is an Italian sauce, served over pasta.  While it is common where I live to serve bolognese with spaghetti, and other various types of pasta, it is traditional, and more practical, to serve it with egg noodles, which hold up much better under this thick, hearty sauce.

• 1 package ground beef (half of it can be exchanged with ground Italian sausage, if desired)
• 1 package diced pancetta (a cup of diced ham may be substituted)
• 3-4 carrots
• 3-4 celery stalks
• 1 onion
• 5 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 jar Italian pasta sauce
• 1 cup whole milk, or half-and-half (less, if desired)
• 1/2 cup still, dry white wine
• salt and pepper to taste

     Cook the pancetta in a saucepan, or large skillet, and then transfer into a slow-cooker (crock-pot).  Finely chop the soffritto of vegetables, and add it to the pan.  Brown the ground beef slightly, and add it and the soffritto to the slow-cooker.  Add the wine, tomato paste, and sauce, adding broth, or water if the consistency is not as you desire it.  Let simmer until vegetables are soft.  (Meanwhile, cook the pasta until al dente (firm to the bite). Add the milk, salt and pepper to the sauce.  Drain the pasta, and toss it with the sauce, or ladle the sauce over individual portions (I personally prefer the former method).

     On a side note, I often omit the slow-cooker when making this, and simply keep to the large skillet.  It cooks much faster, and, in my opinion, comes out just as well.

Operation Bridal Shower: Success

     Hello, viewers.

     I just got back from Anwen's bridal shower a little while ago, and I think it went very well.  There were roughly 15 guests, 18, if you count the few small children in attendance.

     The food and desserts that Wren, Anwen's sister (whom I shall call Gia), and I made seemed to meet with everyone's approval.  Among other things, there were red velvet cupcakes, individual cheesecakes in tiny mason jars, and cheesecake stuffed strawberries. 

     The location was Wren's parents' house, which is quite lovely.  It was an outdoor event, and their yard is equally lovely.  The outdoor bar and shaded patio tables were useful in keeping us from melting in the hot April sun.  I know, sounds strange right?  Hot April sun...  Here are a few pictures of decorations, and such.  In the last one, you'll see Wren's very nice mum, whom I shall refer to as Lottie

     After everyone had a cold drink, and ate, and mingled, and all that, dessert was served, whilst Anwen opened her gifts, with the help of her small nephew.  She got some very nice things, including three aprons, one of which she got from me. 

     When she had done, we played some games, such as the paper-clip game, where everyone gets three clothes pins, which they clip on their clothes, and everytime someone says the word "wedding" in random conversation, the person who catches them saying it gets to steal one of their pins.  Anwen playfully wheedled pins out of her sister and I, using her bridal status.  Then there were trivia games, one of which was played by the guests, who were given a list of facts about the bride and groom (favourite colour, favourite candy, prefers coffee or tea, etc.), and if we thought the fact pertained to the bride, we'd hold up a pair of paper lips, and if the groom, a paper moustache.  Apparently, I know them both pretty well; I only missed one question, which applied to both of them.  The other trivia game was for the bride to play.  Wren had asked the groom (who shall be known as Johnny) some trivia about himself, and for every question Anwen answered incorrectly, she had to put a piece of gum in her mouth, and continue to answer the questions, as her wad of gum grew.  It was all quite fun.

     For the bridal shower favours, there were succulent plants in mason jars. 

     I chose this one.  It is my new pet plant.  I had one once, whom I had named Simon Beauregard Remington, otherwise known as Remy.  Alas, he is no more.  My new pet plant is called Sir Erik Anthony III.  Let us hope his life is not as short as was his predecessor.

     After more mingling, and merry making, the guest began to leave, and we helped Anwen pack her gifts into her car, and then the rest of us went home.  It was a very nice bridal shower, and I'm glad to have been a co-host.  The next things on my list, are to make hair garlands for Wren and Gia, and start saving up for the hen weekend (or "bachelorette" weekend, as some would have it).

     On a side note, I'm very glad that I opted to wear my mint-green chiffon, because Wren and Gia's dresses were also varying shades of mint-green, and the tablecloths were mint-green, and the bride's mum and nephew showed up wearing mint-green, and Anwen accused us of some sort of conspiracy, and it was all very amusing. 

    Here we are, with our matching dresses, and our moustaches. 

From left to right: Wren, Gia, me (the one whose face you aren't allowed to see), and our lovely bride Anwen.

     Anyways, there you have it, viewers; one more event crossed off my wedding checklist.

     Good day to you all.

Bridal Shower Outfit: Revised

     Hello, viewers.

    Less than 24 hours away from the bridal shower now, and, as my post title indicates, I've made a last minute outfit change.  I didn't account for summer weather in April, but where I live, I might have seen that coming.  The blush dress I had picked might have been fine by itself, without the black over-jacket and such, but after talking with the maid-of-honour and the other bridesmaid today, and discovering that they had both randomly picked a blue/blue-green dress to wear, I decided it'd probably be more fitting all around if I wear the mint green chiffon summer dress I had chosen for the reception.  I'll just have to figure out something else for to wear to that.

    I have a few different jewelry options, which I'll make a final decision on in the morning. 

    I spent most of the day at the maid-of-honour's house today (her name in my blog shall be Wren), baking, and preparing food for tomorrow.  Thus far, things seem to be running smoothly, for the most part.  I shall blog again soon, and relate the details and highlights of the shower.

     Until then viewers, peace be with thee.

Random Rambling

     Hello viewers.

     I hope you've all had a pleasant day.  Mine was rather exhausting.  Not that I did anything remotely active, or fatigue-inducing; "exhausted" is simply my general state of being, as some of you may have gathered from previous posts. 

     It was a decent day, though, for the most part.  I spent the first have of the day in bed, watching old movies.  Then, I made vanilla chai scones, which I had with a cup of masala chai tea.  It was lovely.  Look how lovely it is, next to my lovely book.

     Then, I took a moment and admired the gift my friend (the one my mum and I house-sat for) brought me back from Hawaii.  She bought my mum and I each a piece of jewelry made by locals in Maui. 

     I quite love it.  It goes with alot of my clothing, including my bridesmaid outfit.  And look; although it's hard to tell from this photo, one of the beads is shaped like a butterfly. 
Note: The Solemn Wood Nymph loves butterflies.

     Then, my mum and I worked on my bridesmaid dress a bit.  You see, not only is it a bit to large, it was also evidentally meant for a tall person, and I am prodigiously small of stature, as befits a wood nymph.  I was examining this in my mirror, and gathered some of the chiffon folds behind me, which somehow instantly made the dress appear to fit perfectly, besides giving it a snazzy-looking train in the back.  My mum happened to walk past my room at the moment, and she had exactly the same thought.  So, she shortened the hem of the lining, and will later sew the gathers in the back for me. 

     Having been tired already, the fitting process fatigued me yet more, so I retired to my room, and did some needle-work, and personal study.

     The day concluded with Theocratic Ministry School, which my mum and I attend on Thursday evenings.  I enjoyed it as usual, despite my fatigue, although when we were visiting in the lobby afterwards, the fluorescent lighting caused me to swoon, as it tends to do (I dare say it has a personal grudge against me), and I collapsed against my poor mum, and had to be assisted out of the building by one of our friends.  Fortunately, as I was in the lobby at the time, I don't think anyone else noticed.  Haha.  There was my bit of excitement for the day~

     Anyways, I'm off to bed early tonight.  Good night, viewers.  Sleep well.