Questions and Soup

Re: 2008 survey

What were your favorite purchase(s)?

I just got an 8 gig Ipod Nano (thanks for your help Ginger!), but that will have to wait for 2009's list, because I bought it Sunday.

2008 - definitely the slow-cooker. Paired with the immersion blender we already had, it's a culinary tour-de-force. Ah, the immersion blender.....when a recipe calls for putting soups or sauces through a blender or foodprocessor in small batches - ha ha! No! Just put your trusty immersion blender into the pot, turn it on, and puree away. No mess, no drips, no extra dishes.

Last night's creation has been dubbed 'stuff what we done got' soup. Lentils, tomato, onion, garlic, leftover butternut squash, a shake of lemongrass curry, a heaping pinch of aleppo pepper, a few allspice berries, salt, pepper, a pinch of ginger, and three rather sad looking bay leaves. (note to self - stop household from buying bay leaf at the grocery store. go to savory spice instead). After simmering away for eight hours, it was broth with veg floating in it. After meeting the immersion blender......thick & creamy, with a few chunks left for textural interest.

It was good. And nutritious. And filling. Lentils are good that way.

What did you purchase that cost $500 or more?

Car repairs. Twice. My car is a '95, it has about 140,000 miles on it. When it goes, I'll be riding the bus.

What sporting events did you attend?

A Rockies game, with my friend Najah. The beer was good (Blue Moon Harvest Ale), the food was fun, people watching was excellent, and we watched the full moon rise over the stadium. Oh, and the Rockies lost. Big time.

Get married or divorced?

Have we met?

Change your hairstyle?

Constantly. Right now I have an intense red, short, anime sort of thing going on......but I miss my barettes, so I may grow it back out.

What were your favorite moment(s) of 2008

Reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, solo vacations, horseback riding up (and down!) a very steep mountain, going to the same parks often enough to see the changes as the year went by,playing dressup at Samhain and a masquerade ball.

What's something you learned about yourself?

That taking risks is usually not fatal.

What was your status by Valentine's Day?

Exhausted. Truffle production was hellacious, because Valentine's is a last-minute sort of holiday. It always seems to take people by surprise......

What concerts/shows did you go to?

Lunar Fire - techno-tribal-rap with belly dancers, fire twirlers, lights on strings and fabulous masks and costumes. It was awesome :) Also, my sister's play and the Santaland Diaries.

What are you wishing for in 2009?

Tougher sentencing for parole violators, Stan. And world peace.

Seriously, I want to get rid of my useless hang-ups and inhibitions, and do more with my stifled creativity.

Been naughty or nice?

Absolutely.