Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
It's been a long day...
This morning coming into work I seriously felt like this:
Not only am I already losing my mind to 'vacation mode', I'm crankier than ever today. You'd think I'd be ecstatic what with my week already half over, Christmas just days away, and a week long hiatus from work. But of course not...and what else would make me lethargic and exceptionally irritable on what should be a great week except...well I won't go into details, but this comic pretty much sums it up...
Bahaha. Yeah. Nerd.
One nasty side effect I have is this rampant murderous rage. Not really conducive for safe, defensive driving at 6am. Especially considering the heavens opened up and dumped about 3-4" of beautiful, powdery, "how-come-every-year-people-forget-how-to-drive-in-the-snow" snow last night. I'm driving my POS Civic and you're in a 4x4 Jeep Wrangler with big ol' knobby tires, and yet you're driving in between 2 lanes because why? You don't want to be too close to oncoming traffic in the left lane, or the snow drift pile on the right? Make up yo' mind fool! I can't blame the dude in the '98 Accord for driving 15 mph under the speed limit, but you, you incompetent fool, are thoroughly in my freaking way.
Slowly though, with the addition of caffeine and Christmas treats, and the news of my Christmas bonus this year being $1500 (woo-freakin-hoo!) I've slowly started to come back to the world. I'm still cranky, still would rather be hibernating, still mourning the lack of sun on the shortest day of the year, and still want to take out my uterus and leave it hanging somewhere until the wretched thing is done cramping. Ok, so I went into details. Gruesome? Not as gruesome as I could get, trust me.
The weather has progressively gotten gloomier over the course of the day. I officially cannot see the houses across the field...nor the field for that matter. This should make for another interesting drive home. Good thing this time I no longer have to brave the jungle that is the mall during this holiday season. Last night after work, after it had started snowing and the roads were getting quite messy, I had to pick up one last gift at the mall. Let's just say I'm glad I only had one thing to get.
I'm glad the day is nearly over, I'm starting to get antsy and irritable again. And my calculations aren't coming out right! Argh.
When I get home I'm making this:
Now, if only I had some vanilla ice cream...
Bahaha. Yeah. Nerd.
One nasty side effect I have is this rampant murderous rage. Not really conducive for safe, defensive driving at 6am. Especially considering the heavens opened up and dumped about 3-4" of beautiful, powdery, "how-come-every-year-people-forget-how-to-drive-in-the-snow" snow last night. I'm driving my POS Civic and you're in a 4x4 Jeep Wrangler with big ol' knobby tires, and yet you're driving in between 2 lanes because why? You don't want to be too close to oncoming traffic in the left lane, or the snow drift pile on the right? Make up yo' mind fool! I can't blame the dude in the '98 Accord for driving 15 mph under the speed limit, but you, you incompetent fool, are thoroughly in my freaking way.
Slowly though, with the addition of caffeine and Christmas treats, and the news of my Christmas bonus this year being $1500 (woo-freakin-hoo!) I've slowly started to come back to the world. I'm still cranky, still would rather be hibernating, still mourning the lack of sun on the shortest day of the year, and still want to take out my uterus and leave it hanging somewhere until the wretched thing is done cramping. Ok, so I went into details. Gruesome? Not as gruesome as I could get, trust me.
The weather has progressively gotten gloomier over the course of the day. I officially cannot see the houses across the field...nor the field for that matter. This should make for another interesting drive home. Good thing this time I no longer have to brave the jungle that is the mall during this holiday season. Last night after work, after it had started snowing and the roads were getting quite messy, I had to pick up one last gift at the mall. Let's just say I'm glad I only had one thing to get.
I'm glad the day is nearly over, I'm starting to get antsy and irritable again. And my calculations aren't coming out right! Argh.
When I get home I'm making this:
Now, if only I had some vanilla ice cream...
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
I heart space heaters
In a world, where half the planet tilts away from the sun for a quarter of the year and people inhabit areas outside of the Tropic lines, there exists the space heater. It comes in widely varying sizes and designs, with anywhere from a simple on button to multiple settings and programs. It can be electric powered or gas powered, but either way, its use is the same. To bring the joy of the sun to those wrapped in the darkness of the bitter cold. When the sun disappears at 4pm, so does the it's warm, loving rays. Oh, curse the short, icy cold days... My gladness during these hibernation inducing months comes from hot chocolate, cuddly sweaters, fluffy throw blankets, and space heaters.
As we rapidly approach the shortest day of the year, I can't help but notice it's somewhat abnormally colder than I seem to remember in my many 20some odd years of Decembers. At least, sub-zero temperatures with the wind chill certainly feel colder than normal this winter. Not that 30°F is warm when compared to other locales only several hundred miles south of home but for winter here, it could, in fact, be considered rather balmy. On the bright side, no need to dream of a white Christmas...there's snow on the ground, more snow to come, and freezing temperatures all through until Christmas.
*For some reason I noticed I had started rhyming in my next paragraph, so I edited it and it became a poem...* Cold Winter Untitled
I gaze out the window, and what do I see?
Sun and skies of blue, but it's not yet 3.
The ground covered in a blanket of white.
The sun reflecting off it, making things bright.
But don't be fooled, it's ever so cold.
To venture out there you'd have to be bold.
Winter's grip around folks, all bundled and grim.
Chimneys smoking, as lights cling to roof trims.
Just next to this window, it's abundantly clear,
The bitter cold is something to fear.
So the space heater is on, and warming my feet.
Christmas songs are playing, and I rock to the beat.
With my cubicle all toasty and warm
The Christmas cheer here is all in good form.
So Merry Christmas, I'll say to your ear,
And have a full and Happy New Year!
I love you space heater, you keep me warm in this cold cold office. When I leave work I will dread that short bitter walk to my car in the frozen wasteland of a parking lot, but while I'm working, I am comfortable. Thanks.
 |
| Huddled under the patio heater, and still cold. |
*For some reason I noticed I had started rhyming in my next paragraph, so I edited it and it became a poem...* Cold Winter Untitled
I gaze out the window, and what do I see?
Sun and skies of blue, but it's not yet 3.
The ground covered in a blanket of white.
The sun reflecting off it, making things bright.
But don't be fooled, it's ever so cold.
To venture out there you'd have to be bold.
Winter's grip around folks, all bundled and grim.
Chimneys smoking, as lights cling to roof trims.
Just next to this window, it's abundantly clear,
The bitter cold is something to fear.
So the space heater is on, and warming my feet.
Christmas songs are playing, and I rock to the beat.
With my cubicle all toasty and warm
The Christmas cheer here is all in good form.
So Merry Christmas, I'll say to your ear,
And have a full and Happy New Year!
I love you space heater, you keep me warm in this cold cold office. When I leave work I will dread that short bitter walk to my car in the frozen wasteland of a parking lot, but while I'm working, I am comfortable. Thanks.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Christmas Shopping Woes...
Hm, it's been a while since I've been on here. Well first, holy moly it's December already! I've only got about 1/3 of my Christmas shopping left, and I'm at a complete loss as to what to get my dad and one of my sisters. Usually, I have an idea of what to get my dad and get my sisters to pay for a share of it. Last year I, we, got him a Roku. Which I set up for him on October 30th of this year. A couple years ago, I got him one of those digital picture frames, I didn't have time to add pictures since I had to get it replaced a week before Christmas (the original one I bought did not work), and I don't think he's ever gotten around to putting it up or adding pictures to it. The year before that, I bought a backpack and stuffed it full of cool travel gear. (they were going on a safari after Christmas) It's currently sitting in the basement. Part of me wants to be like, well...he never uses what I get him so why should I bother? I did find out at Thanksgiving that he does use the Roku we bought him now that it's set up though. So, maybe if I go techie, I'll just have to set it up for him Christmas morning after we open gifts. Otherwise he won't use it.
That still begs the question...what do I get him? I try to follow his hobbies and get him something accordingly, though he tends to buy what he wants, when he wants it. Right now his hobbies are so varied, it seems impossible to get him anything useful. Ooh...<lightbulb on> He did just buy a new SLR. The problem with that is none of the good accessories that he doesn't have already are within my budget for him. Even if I split it 3 ways with my sisters, it's hardly feasible for me. And if it's stretching it for me, how could I expect it to be feasible for a college student and a part-time lab assistant looking for another job? <lightbulb off> Drat. Foiled again.
The same goes for my sister...no idea. I got her a small art print but that's something little. Maybe I'll get her some knitting yarn. She's been knitting lately, though her hobbies and interests skip from one thing to another so much I hardly know what she's into by the time Christmas comes around. At least with her, when all else fails...I have no problem following the route of fashion accessories. A crystal studded headband? How dashing.
Some people are so easy to shop for I have a hard time holding back and sticking to my budget. Other people I feel obligated to shop for, godchildren for example...and yes I have multiple godchildren. Even a little something "stocking stuffer" quality would suffice. But in my family, kids tend to pop up in groups. And these groups of kids grow up together, hang out together. Like me and my cousins. Between us there are only at most 6 years difference. And that's between me and my baby sister. Now, if you give one of these kids a gift, you have to give them all gifts. Forget that you maybe only close to one of them, or one or two are your godchildren, because once the one gets a gift it's inevitable that the others will get jealous. For a while you can get away with giving them all the exact same gift though, so it tends to work out. Luckily, I'm still in that "give them all the same thing" boat. Last year I tried to give one of my goddaughters something different, and that completely backfired on me. I had given the other two cousins cheap mp3 players, and got her a video game she was asking for. Holy smokes, wouldn't you know, she wanted an mp3 player just like her cousins. Never-mind, her already being a proud owner of an iPod which her cousins didn't have. Needless to say, I feel obligated to get each of them something of equal quality and caliber. This year they're getting wallets...in a variety of colors but each the same. Watch this year be the year they finally decide getting the same gift every year is LAME.
Of course, a lot of times the age difference and the gender make a big difference too. And then there's the obligatory need to get a little su'm su'm for any siblings, regardless if you've met the child or not. It's not necessary, but to avoid jealous, cranky children, why not just get a stuffed animal or two. And then there's the cousin of the cousin....we usually didn't have this as a problem until recently. I have no connection to this child whatsoever, though randomly she seems to show up. I can see her little face when she doesn't get something along with her cousins. It's quite disheartening...but at the same time, why should I?
Every year I make my Christmas budget, and most of the time, I hit it right on the dot, if not go over budget...particularly on my husband. This year though, for once I am completely UNDER budget. Yes! This, is what I call a budget success (And being smart about it and getting about 1/3 of the gifts during Cyber Monday).
That still begs the question...what do I get him? I try to follow his hobbies and get him something accordingly, though he tends to buy what he wants, when he wants it. Right now his hobbies are so varied, it seems impossible to get him anything useful. Ooh...<lightbulb on> He did just buy a new SLR. The problem with that is none of the good accessories that he doesn't have already are within my budget for him. Even if I split it 3 ways with my sisters, it's hardly feasible for me. And if it's stretching it for me, how could I expect it to be feasible for a college student and a part-time lab assistant looking for another job? <lightbulb off> Drat. Foiled again.
The same goes for my sister...no idea. I got her a small art print but that's something little. Maybe I'll get her some knitting yarn. She's been knitting lately, though her hobbies and interests skip from one thing to another so much I hardly know what she's into by the time Christmas comes around. At least with her, when all else fails...I have no problem following the route of fashion accessories. A crystal studded headband? How dashing.
Some people are so easy to shop for I have a hard time holding back and sticking to my budget. Other people I feel obligated to shop for, godchildren for example...and yes I have multiple godchildren. Even a little something "stocking stuffer" quality would suffice. But in my family, kids tend to pop up in groups. And these groups of kids grow up together, hang out together. Like me and my cousins. Between us there are only at most 6 years difference. And that's between me and my baby sister. Now, if you give one of these kids a gift, you have to give them all gifts. Forget that you maybe only close to one of them, or one or two are your godchildren, because once the one gets a gift it's inevitable that the others will get jealous. For a while you can get away with giving them all the exact same gift though, so it tends to work out. Luckily, I'm still in that "give them all the same thing" boat. Last year I tried to give one of my goddaughters something different, and that completely backfired on me. I had given the other two cousins cheap mp3 players, and got her a video game she was asking for. Holy smokes, wouldn't you know, she wanted an mp3 player just like her cousins. Never-mind, her already being a proud owner of an iPod which her cousins didn't have. Needless to say, I feel obligated to get each of them something of equal quality and caliber. This year they're getting wallets...in a variety of colors but each the same. Watch this year be the year they finally decide getting the same gift every year is LAME.
Of course, a lot of times the age difference and the gender make a big difference too. And then there's the obligatory need to get a little su'm su'm for any siblings, regardless if you've met the child or not. It's not necessary, but to avoid jealous, cranky children, why not just get a stuffed animal or two. And then there's the cousin of the cousin....we usually didn't have this as a problem until recently. I have no connection to this child whatsoever, though randomly she seems to show up. I can see her little face when she doesn't get something along with her cousins. It's quite disheartening...but at the same time, why should I?
Every year I make my Christmas budget, and most of the time, I hit it right on the dot, if not go over budget...particularly on my husband. This year though, for once I am completely UNDER budget. Yes! This, is what I call a budget success (And being smart about it and getting about 1/3 of the gifts during Cyber Monday).
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Ode to my Christmas Tree...
(sung to O Tannenbaum)
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
How deadly are your branches?
You gave me hives, on my forearms
Never mind, your Christmas charms
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
How deadly are your branches?
I’ve just imbibed some Benadryl
And that’s not just for some cheap thrill
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
How deadly are your branches?
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
How deadly are your branches?
We’ll wait and see, what we will do,
But pretty soon, we may be through
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree
How deadly are your branches?
This year is the first time I've ever gotten a real tree for Christmas. The husband swears by real trees and since I didn't really care either way I just went with it. Too bad sometime in the middle of decorating it I noticed I was getting hives on my hands and arms. It is fabulously beautiful though. A little wide, but fits quite well in the corner where we have it hanging.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
'Tis the Season to give thanks...for office closings and other things.
Cool thing about this office...we close for the holidays. Bad thing about closing for the holidays...we're required to use PTO. Oh, I suppose I could just not get paid for those days, but what's the point in that? Good thing I get 15 PTO days every year.
Now, I've only been here for 3 holiday seasons so far, but it usually works out to only having to take 3-4 PTO between Thanksgiving and New Years. Unfortunately, this year the way Christmas and New Years fall on the weekend, I get kind of screwed and have to take 5 PTO days. I haven't been keeping diligent track of my PTO this year, but by rough estimate, I think I've used up my quota. Between a few long weekends here and there, plus sick days, adding all that up on my fingers...eh, c'est la vie. I can't clock time regardless since business is closed for the whole week between Christmas and New Years. Might as well enjoy that time off, paid or no.
It's almost Thanksgiving, and I have bought a total of 2 presents for Christmas. I'm falling behind here. I fully intend to take advantage of any deals this weekend. Now, I'm not one to partake in the frenzy that is Black Friday typically since it involves large murderous mobs of psycho soccer moms and thrifty old ladies, so I don't imagine I will be willing to change that this year. But, luckily I've heard of a few online deals...plus there's always Cyber Monday.
In keeping the spirit of the holidays, (and hell yes, I am and have been playing Christmas music for a couple weeks now) it's time to note all of the things I am alive and well enough to thank God for all the blessings in my life.
1. Family and Friends. Yes, this lumps everyone from my husband to my niece and even my closest friends. Though I may be thoroughly annoyed at times, I think on times when each and every one of my close friends and family has brought smiles to my face, laughter to my heart, wisdom to my consciousness, acceptance to my failures, support to my weaknesses, and food to my belly, and I could not feel more loved than I do today.
2. My job. It sounds so cliche to be thankful for having my job, but considering too many of my peers have gone too long without work, I find it appropriate this year. No matter how much I complain about working here, I have it better than most. That is something to be thankful for.
3. My home. Do not mistake this for a materialistic ideal. A house is material, a home is a symbol. I'm thankful to have a home of my own, the feeling of security and the love that surrounds those I care for within.
4. Dog parks. For without these, I would have a raging 9 month old furniture eater.
5. The Old Fart and The Puppy. Bless the old man's young heart that even in old age and arthritic bones will still come greet me with some doggy love and only bites me when he's too scared. Bless the 9 month old furniture eater who follows me around the house like a baby duck and his soft ears and happy heart. Bless both their cute adorable little faces.
6. Sunshine. To remind me today only happens once.
7. Shoes. One of my many vices. One of the many accessories of function and fashion, and it comes in infinite varieties. What is an accessory but functional fashion?
8. Iced Tea. Because sometimes drinking water is too boring.
9. Thanksgiving/Christmas Night movies with the cousins. One year we decided to go see whatever movie was opening on Christmas night, now we just go watch a movie together after we've had our fill of food and holiday cheer. Hard to keep up with the tradition now that we share holidays, but a great tradition to keep to spend some quality time with family.
10. Potlucks. This goes without saying. I love food, I'm thankful that I often have a bounty of food at my disposal. I enjoy the company of friends and I enjoy cooking for my friends. Thanksgiving has become a holiday of feasts for not just one day a year, but an entire weekend of feasting. Potlucks bring together food and friends, sharing our favorite recipes and having fun with people you care about. That's something to be thankful for.
There is so much to be thankful for this year, and always, and it's good to remember those things. I may bitch and moan about a lot of things and I may have the most words to say when I'm in a bad mood, but to get out of a funk, the best way to do that is to lighten the heart by remembering and being grateful for the wonderful things in life. Life being one of the greatest blessings of all.
Thank you Lord for the happiness in my life, for the gift of love, and help me to share that love with those around me.
Now, I've only been here for 3 holiday seasons so far, but it usually works out to only having to take 3-4 PTO between Thanksgiving and New Years. Unfortunately, this year the way Christmas and New Years fall on the weekend, I get kind of screwed and have to take 5 PTO days. I haven't been keeping diligent track of my PTO this year, but by rough estimate, I think I've used up my quota. Between a few long weekends here and there, plus sick days, adding all that up on my fingers...eh, c'est la vie. I can't clock time regardless since business is closed for the whole week between Christmas and New Years. Might as well enjoy that time off, paid or no.
It's almost Thanksgiving, and I have bought a total of 2 presents for Christmas. I'm falling behind here. I fully intend to take advantage of any deals this weekend. Now, I'm not one to partake in the frenzy that is Black Friday typically since it involves large murderous mobs of psycho soccer moms and thrifty old ladies, so I don't imagine I will be willing to change that this year. But, luckily I've heard of a few online deals...plus there's always Cyber Monday.
In keeping the spirit of the holidays, (and hell yes, I am and have been playing Christmas music for a couple weeks now) it's time to note all of the things I am alive and well enough to thank God for all the blessings in my life.
1. Family and Friends. Yes, this lumps everyone from my husband to my niece and even my closest friends. Though I may be thoroughly annoyed at times, I think on times when each and every one of my close friends and family has brought smiles to my face, laughter to my heart, wisdom to my consciousness, acceptance to my failures, support to my weaknesses, and food to my belly, and I could not feel more loved than I do today.
2. My job. It sounds so cliche to be thankful for having my job, but considering too many of my peers have gone too long without work, I find it appropriate this year. No matter how much I complain about working here, I have it better than most. That is something to be thankful for.
3. My home. Do not mistake this for a materialistic ideal. A house is material, a home is a symbol. I'm thankful to have a home of my own, the feeling of security and the love that surrounds those I care for within.
4. Dog parks. For without these, I would have a raging 9 month old furniture eater.
5. The Old Fart and The Puppy. Bless the old man's young heart that even in old age and arthritic bones will still come greet me with some doggy love and only bites me when he's too scared. Bless the 9 month old furniture eater who follows me around the house like a baby duck and his soft ears and happy heart. Bless both their cute adorable little faces.
6. Sunshine. To remind me today only happens once.
7. Shoes. One of my many vices. One of the many accessories of function and fashion, and it comes in infinite varieties. What is an accessory but functional fashion?
8. Iced Tea. Because sometimes drinking water is too boring.
9. Thanksgiving/Christmas Night movies with the cousins. One year we decided to go see whatever movie was opening on Christmas night, now we just go watch a movie together after we've had our fill of food and holiday cheer. Hard to keep up with the tradition now that we share holidays, but a great tradition to keep to spend some quality time with family.
10. Potlucks. This goes without saying. I love food, I'm thankful that I often have a bounty of food at my disposal. I enjoy the company of friends and I enjoy cooking for my friends. Thanksgiving has become a holiday of feasts for not just one day a year, but an entire weekend of feasting. Potlucks bring together food and friends, sharing our favorite recipes and having fun with people you care about. That's something to be thankful for.
There is so much to be thankful for this year, and always, and it's good to remember those things. I may bitch and moan about a lot of things and I may have the most words to say when I'm in a bad mood, but to get out of a funk, the best way to do that is to lighten the heart by remembering and being grateful for the wonderful things in life. Life being one of the greatest blessings of all.
Thank you Lord for the happiness in my life, for the gift of love, and help me to share that love with those around me.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Body Wars Part 2 and Kitchen Disasters...or not.
It's the Revenge of the Virus: Do not Give Thanks. I was completely shut down on Friday, as whatever new virus inhabiting my body wrecked havoc on my sinuses. Unforgivingly battering the weaknesses in my immunal armor. Even being drugged up and knocked out, I fought a losing battle. Even today, I lack energy to fight though the enemy has subsided for the time being. Looks as though it may have found a new host to attack, a more formidable enemy presenting more of a challenge than I obviously provided. Though I still feel very damaged. I just hope that I manage to keep under the radar for that psycho stomach flu that has ravaged through several of my peers. I'm just going to hide from the world until I manage to pull together my bleeding forces and regroup. Unfortunately, I only have 3 days to do that because Thanksgiving is on Thursday. Time to pump me full of vitamins and other herbal home remedies plus enough cold medicine to knock me out every night. Hopefully that will finally blast what remains of this horrid virus down to the depths of hell where it belongs.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'm excited that it's here. This year we plan on frying the turkey. It will be our first attempt at frying this baby up ourselves, so hopefully it all turns out. Otherwise, that's 13 lbs of turkey down the drain. All the research and planning and preparation in the world pales in comparison to actual experience when it comes to attempting a new manner of cooking. Another first for this year will be my first attempt to make Mamang Taba's famous Leche Flan. Mmmm. My favorite. My family never fails to remind me of one holiday in my youth in which I disappeared, only to have them find me crouched in the corner with one entire pan of the sweet delicious creme custard. Hoarding it all to myself and managing to eat it all myself. And I wonder why I have huge thighs...
I attempted a trial run last night, having listened intently as my Ninang recited my great grandmother's recipe from heart. Scribbling carefully detailed instructions across 2 note pad pages with the secrets of the most perfect leche flan known to man. At least, to me. So this attempt was important in order to hone my leche flan making skills. Trial #1 started off well, preparing the ingredients for the caramelized syrup. Separating the yolks from the whites for the custard...waiting for the syrup to thicken. Then it went to hell in a matter of seconds. So I'm stirring the syrup, waiting for that tell tale sign it's ready, though from a verbal instruction, although very detailed, it is extremely difficult to determine what the hell I'm looking for. I'm stirring and I'm stirring, and the syrup is boiling and bubbling and after a long while, I decide...screw it let's try to use this. But the second I turn off the heat, ROCK HARD sugar. Needless to say, I flipped my shit. Wide eyed, I told my husband I think I ruined a pan. Thankfully his brains were still functioning and told me to throw it in the sink. As he was calming me down and so lovingly helping me scrape out the sauce pan, we discussed how I inadvertently made rock candy and that I probably wasn't the first person do to so.
Since I had already done the custard portion, I had to try the syrup again. The second time, I used a candy thermometer as recommended by my husband to help me from totally screwing up a second batch. If I had been using my brains I may have thought of it, but seeing as my brain was half functioning, I'm glad he was there to help. This time, I stood at the pan the entire time watching and stirring to make sure I didn't miss that key point where the syrup teeters the edge of supersaturation, when it is thick enough for the recipe. I stopped it probably well before I should have, but since my Ninang is vacationing in the Philippines and won't be returning until Weds, I left it at that and will have to ask her to show me the technique rather than describing it to me in words.
In baking the custard, I tried to keep a close eye on the cooking process, to make sure I didn't do anything else wrong. But, alas, in my haste I used the convection setting on my oven, and though I cut down the temperature by 25°F and set the timer to 2/3 the time of the recipe, I still almost burned it when I checked on it after 30 minutes. I have yet to taste this creation but sent one off with the hubby to work as promised to a Filipino coworker of his. I'm ecstatic to report that even with the mishaps I encountered, it still exceeded the expectations of a fellow Filipino, considering it was my first attempt ever to make it. HOORAY! The final test will be when I taste it and if I indeed managed to pull it off, only my own discerning tongue will be able to tell.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'm excited that it's here. This year we plan on frying the turkey. It will be our first attempt at frying this baby up ourselves, so hopefully it all turns out. Otherwise, that's 13 lbs of turkey down the drain. All the research and planning and preparation in the world pales in comparison to actual experience when it comes to attempting a new manner of cooking. Another first for this year will be my first attempt to make Mamang Taba's famous Leche Flan. Mmmm. My favorite. My family never fails to remind me of one holiday in my youth in which I disappeared, only to have them find me crouched in the corner with one entire pan of the sweet delicious creme custard. Hoarding it all to myself and managing to eat it all myself. And I wonder why I have huge thighs...
I attempted a trial run last night, having listened intently as my Ninang recited my great grandmother's recipe from heart. Scribbling carefully detailed instructions across 2 note pad pages with the secrets of the most perfect leche flan known to man. At least, to me. So this attempt was important in order to hone my leche flan making skills. Trial #1 started off well, preparing the ingredients for the caramelized syrup. Separating the yolks from the whites for the custard...waiting for the syrup to thicken. Then it went to hell in a matter of seconds. So I'm stirring the syrup, waiting for that tell tale sign it's ready, though from a verbal instruction, although very detailed, it is extremely difficult to determine what the hell I'm looking for. I'm stirring and I'm stirring, and the syrup is boiling and bubbling and after a long while, I decide...screw it let's try to use this. But the second I turn off the heat, ROCK HARD sugar. Needless to say, I flipped my shit. Wide eyed, I told my husband I think I ruined a pan. Thankfully his brains were still functioning and told me to throw it in the sink. As he was calming me down and so lovingly helping me scrape out the sauce pan, we discussed how I inadvertently made rock candy and that I probably wasn't the first person do to so.
Since I had already done the custard portion, I had to try the syrup again. The second time, I used a candy thermometer as recommended by my husband to help me from totally screwing up a second batch. If I had been using my brains I may have thought of it, but seeing as my brain was half functioning, I'm glad he was there to help. This time, I stood at the pan the entire time watching and stirring to make sure I didn't miss that key point where the syrup teeters the edge of supersaturation, when it is thick enough for the recipe. I stopped it probably well before I should have, but since my Ninang is vacationing in the Philippines and won't be returning until Weds, I left it at that and will have to ask her to show me the technique rather than describing it to me in words.
In baking the custard, I tried to keep a close eye on the cooking process, to make sure I didn't do anything else wrong. But, alas, in my haste I used the convection setting on my oven, and though I cut down the temperature by 25°F and set the timer to 2/3 the time of the recipe, I still almost burned it when I checked on it after 30 minutes. I have yet to taste this creation but sent one off with the hubby to work as promised to a Filipino coworker of his. I'm ecstatic to report that even with the mishaps I encountered, it still exceeded the expectations of a fellow Filipino, considering it was my first attempt ever to make it. HOORAY! The final test will be when I taste it and if I indeed managed to pull it off, only my own discerning tongue will be able to tell.
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