>Eating the Opponent – planning ahead

Posted on by
Reply

>My Green Bay Packers had a bye the first week of postseason. Depending on the results of two other games (or three?), they knew they would either play the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions, or the Atlanta Falcons. Or was it – Giants, Lions, or Saints? No, I think the Saints are elsewhere in the seeding order. Is that redundant – seeding order?

Meanwhile, back at the O.K. Chorale, we had no opponent last week. We had no definitive direction in which to point our spatulas and whisks. Instead of a menu, I give you The NFL Postseason According to Chuck.
Remember, Chuck is not a football fan. He’s been forced to learn the game because 1. he married me and 2. he works for a television station in Green Bay and 3. his kids bleed green and gold like their mother. Despite being uncaring and outnumbered, he has a theory on this year’s postseason action and potential results. Here goes:
Chuck believes that marketing drives all. The game that would attract the most viewers and have the most action would be an NFC Championship Game featuring two of the best quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. To get that far, New Orleans has to win again, and Green Bay has to beat the Giants on Sunday afternoon.
That’s basically it. New Orleans vs. Green Bay at Lambeau Field on January 22. Are you in, fellow fans? I’ll bring the jambalaya.
But first, I’ll bring home Jersey bagels for breakfast and grill New York Strip Steak for dinner. Take that, Giants.
As for the AFC, Chuck predicts the Denver Broncos. In his twisted television logic, he reminded me that the networks have groomed us to want the most drama before, during, and after the game. If Chuck’s predictions come to pass (no pun intended, and don’t you dare say none noticed), we’ll see MVP Aaron Rodgers and his entourage up against the God-loving rookie kneeling on the sidelines.
Well, Tebow may be posing for a new version of The Thinker, but he shouldn’t forget that Reggie White was evangelizing on the field when little Timmy was still a bobble-headed Pop Warner kid. And Reggie earned his wings, I mean his Super Bowl ring, with the green and gold.
Any questions?

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Politics; out of the mouths of youngsters

Posted on by
Reply

>Fifth graders, that is. Eleven year-olds. They’ve been learning about the Articles of Confederation and the events and debates and compromises leading up to the writing and ratification of the United States Constitution. I’ve been correcting their tests lately, and the essay questions and their thoughtful or not-so-much answers have kept me thinking.

I can’t post the specific question, but I’ll just tell you that they were discussing the creation of the Constitution and interpreting George Washington’s warning against the destructive nature of political parties.

Actual student answers:
-“To watch out for political parties.”
This kid has a point.

-“I think Washington wanted people to be happy and to work as a team.”
Can this student run for office some day? Please?

-“They would disagree on things because they would have different opinions and they would argue a lot.”
Run-on sentence aside, she was predicting the future with amazing accuracy. Maybe her family has been following the presidential primaries.

-“It creates tensions and the good that could be done is lost in the arguments of each party’s plans.”
Another candidate for office someday – governor, perhaps.

“Washington knew that if the country split into political parties, then the country would be more split up and there would be too many disagreements.”
Politicians, stand warned. This student and others like him will be voting before you know it.

It’s time, it’s well past time, to start cooperating. Bipartisan collaboration would be a good start, but in all honesty, nonpartisan cooperation would be even better.
I’m sure George would agree.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Ah, that caffeinated aroma of a kitchen floor

Posted on by
Reply

>At least my vacuum cleaner will smell good for a while.

Let me back up. I just vacuumed the kitchen floor. Vacuumed. Not washed, not mopped, not swept, not Swiffer wet-jetted. Vacuumed. I was out of fluid for the Wet-Jet, and I wasn’t ready to get down on my knees and scrub. Besides, all the good rags were in the wash.
Let me back up a little more. I just vacuumed up a pile of coffee grounds. Freshly ground, organic coffee grounds. The floor smelled great. So did my pants. If I’d been wearing brown, maybe I wouldn’t have thrown them right in the laundry. But anyway, back to the story. My tiny kitchen was half covered by, no, maybe… Okay. I’ll back up again.
It was a typical weekday evening. I made my lunch, got my clothes ready for morning, made sure my Kindle was charged. Of course I charged my Kindle to get ready for bed; doesn’t everyone? As a final step, I usually set up the coffeemaker for morning. The filtered water was ready, the coffee filter in place, but before I could measure my life in coffee spoons, I needed one more ingredient. As chief groundskeeper of Chez OkayByMe, I gathered my materials: coffee grinder, container, and cleaning brush.
It all began well. The grinder was working well, sending the organically grown, fair trade processed, deliciously blended beans through the blades to become my refreshing beverage of choice. I inhaled with pleasure. When the container filled almost to the top, I applied the small wooden brush to dust the remaining grounds from the grinder. An important step to prepare the grinder for storage, this was also my undoing.
You guessed it, readers. I spilled. Not all of the coffee grounds fell to their death, but at least one third of what I’d just ground hit the, well, ground. With some on my pants and some on my shoes and more, much more, on the floor, I called out to Chuck. “Is the vacuum still downstairs?” He brought it to me and cautiously backed out of the kitchen without daring to say a word.
So there you have it. At least my vacuum will smell good for a while. It’ll smell of freshly ground organic coffee.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Eating the Opponent for the Playoffs

Posted on by
Reply

>

I baked pumpkin bread in the bread machine a few days ago and thought, “Ooh! I should post this.” Duh. I posted it just before Christmas. By the way, it’s delicious with pecans.
As for Eating the Opponent, we’re thinking New York Strip Steak and Jersey bagels. Then again, New York pizza has its own style and Lombardi’s of Manhattan is reputed to have been the first pizzeria in the U.S. Related to the trophy namesake? My research in that direction has had no results.
On the other hand, there are the famous New York black and white cookies, made from cake, not cookies. They look delicious, but I don’t have time to bake a high-maintenance recipe that includes small cakes and two kinds of frosting. I wonder if any local bakeries make them? It might be worth checking. This native New York dish has a roundabout connection to the upcoming game, almost a 6 Degrees type of thing. Here goes.
The last time the New York Giants came to Lambeau Field, there was a big to-do about Eli Manning’s favorite TV show being Seinfeld. Not wanting to give comfort to the enemy, our local affiliate refused to run its Seinfeld reruns at the usual time on that Saturday night. Seinfeld has incorporated the black and white cookie into at least one or two episodes. Is that enough for a connection? Well, if I had time to bake, maybe.
My research also turned up New York chili dogs, a.k.a. Coney dogs, but we used those as a tribute to the Detroit Lions. Let’s hear it, readers. Can you name a uniquely New York food suitable for Eating the Opponent this weekend?

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Back in the Saddle Again

Posted on by
Reply

>It took a little more than I expected. Going back after break wasn’t as smooth as I thought it might be. Then I remembered.

I didn’t teach a full year last year. Coming back after break is a new skill – or one I need to remember from two years ago. I ran into unexpected responses as 2012 Back to School began.
Sleep.
My sleep routine was completely mixed up. I had trouble getting to sleep at night, staying asleep at night, and getting up in the morning. I tried a variety of solutions with a variety of results.
One night of Ambien. One night should be okay. My dependence on the drug developed after several months’ use, but one night – well, it wasn’t okay. I slept well that night, but the following night felt like withdrawal all over again. Deep sigh. I guess I can’t chance taking this again.
After a sleepless night filled with symptoms of withdrawal, I thought I’d be exhausted enough to collapse into dreamland. Not so. Around midnight I gave in and took six mg of melatonin. It helped me get to sleep; getting up in the morning was still difficult.
Melatonin may be my temporary solution. By taking it every night, on Friday I felt awake and energized. If this week’s sleep goes better, I can start walking to work again. The walk in itself will help me sleep at night, and the fresh air will help wake me in the morning. Look out, walking shoes, here I come!
Sleep is precious. After the past year’s experiences, I’ll never take sleep for granted again. Monday, here I come: hopefully with a full night’s deposit in the sleep bank.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Dear World; you’re kidding, right?

Posted on by
Reply

>Dear Clinic That Shall Not be Named;

If the best advice you can offer is, “Talk to a person next time,” your system might be broken. Just sayin’.
Dear Pharmacy with Recorded Messages;
If the best advice you can offer is, “Talk to a person next time,” your system might be broken. Yeah. Uh-huh.
Dear Forrest;
Those boxes of designer chocolates often have a map inside the top cover. Look for it.
Dear Clinic That Shall Not be Named;
Your online messaging system has major glaring weaknesses. After its failure, I suffered through listening to a recorded message while on hold – a recorded message telling me how I could “take control of my own health care” by using the online messaging system. Ahem.
Dear Pharmacy Tech;
If your recorded message tells me I have no refills left, why would I call to see if my refill is ready?
Dear Clinic:
Do you really, honestly, truly have no way of recording a concern? No way to prevent this kind of mistake from recurring?
Dear Chuck;
Can we please order take-out for supper tonight? I have no brainpower or energy left.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>The Opposite of a Boycott

Posted on by
Reply

>

What’s the opposite of a boycott? In the 1970s and 1980s, Ms. magazine might have called it a Girl-cott or a Woman-cott. The premise is simple; instead of boycotting, or refusing to buy from certain companies, make a commitment to spend money where it counts. Support the companies that support the causes that you support.
Confused? Here’s an example.
Since our state legislature became fiercely divided along partisan lines, voices are emerging on the side of public workers. These voices are not necessary anti-Gov. Walker, but they sing the praises of those who earn their living by working in the public sector.
Penzey’s Spices, a Milwaukee-based company, has been outspoken in their support of teachers. Bill Penzey said, “To be pro-business is to be pro-education.” He understands that an educated workforce doesn’t cost, it pays. With that in mind, he set out to recognize teachers in the state.
He began by dedicating a spice to the kindness and dedication that teachers show – a spice named for the Wisconsin State Motto, Forward. Then he created a gift box including a bottle of the new spice, a small bottle of cinnamon, a book of teacher-supplied recipes, a teacher pin and a bumper sticker stating, “Teachers Care.” He gave a box to each and every teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools.
This is more than a token appreciation gift. By donating a valuable product to a large number of public employees, he reminds the citizens and voters and yes, business owners, that public employees are not public enemies, but dedicated public servants.
Now – the opposite of a boycott. Whether this strategy has a name or not, the process is simple. Buy from companies like Penzey’s Spices. Whenever you get a chance, let them know why you chose to buy from their company as opposed to others. Speak with your dollars and with your words.
ow if you’ll excuse me, I need move forward and experiment with my new spice – right after I set out my red Teacher pin to wear to work tomorrow.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>Dutch Babies, updated

Posted on by
Reply

>I made the basic Dutch Baby, an egg and flour pancake, a year or two ago. I saw two recipes for Dutch Babies plus in our Sunday paper, so Amigo and I hit the kitchen during break and made them for brunch. We made the orange-cranberry variation; the ham and cheese option looks good, too.

Dutch Baby with Cranberry Orange Syrup
1 cup milk
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 Tablespoons butter
1 Tablespoon sugar
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. I don’t always preheat; this time, it’s important.
Whisk milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt in a medium bowl. Vigorously whick in flour until smooth. Bring marmalade, cranberries, and 1/4 cup water to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer to the consistency of light syrup. Cover; keep warm.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, heat butter in a heavy bottom 10 inch skillet (cast iron suggested; I used my stainless steel). Heat until light golden brown. Pour milk mixture into skillet. Transfer to the oven and bake until puffed and golden, about 15 minutes. Without removing pan from oven, sprinkle with sugar. Turn oven to broil; broil until very puffy and golden brown, a few minutes longer.
Serve immediately from the skillet, drizzled with orange-cranberry sauce.
This recipe serves four. Amigo and I had our share and had extra left over. Next time I make this, it’ll be on a weekend when we have at least three people at home for brunch. Or maybe I’ll cut the recipe in half.
The cheddar & ham option uses the same basic Dutch Baby (eggs, milk, flour, salt, butter) and then adds 1/2 cup green onions and 1/2 cup diced ham to the melted butter. When the onions are soft and the ham heated through, add the egg/milk mixture to the pan and continue.
After 15 minutes in the oven, sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Continue with broiler as above.
Sound good? I thought so. Enjoy!

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>The Year in Review: the firsts

Posted on by
1

>What a year it’s been! More than that, what a difference a year makes. 2011 saw me at my lowest and then climbing slowly, slowly out of the pit of despair called Depression. Every day there are small victories, victories that have eventually added up to the sum I might call a recovery.

Outside of my own little insular world, the Badgers lost the Rose Bowl, the Packers won the Super Bowl, and the Brewers made it into the playoffs but not the World Series. Wisconsin sports fans had a big, big year.
Meanwhile, back in my own little world, Compost Happens chronicled the ups and downs of 2011. Here you go, readers: the year in firsts – the first post of each month.
January — In which we look back: the annual New Year’s Day post, a retrospective
February –In which we cook Super Burgers for the Super Bowl! Oh, the memories.
March — Potluck with the Geeks! In which Chuck creates the perfect dishes for his train club
April — In which we look back on not just any Monday – a Monday with history
May — In which La Petite’s shoe collection decorates the fireplace mantel
June –In which we sample a Product review for Sargento Cheese – delicious
July — In which I provide a heartfelt guest post on Women on the Fence
August — In which I get my hands dirty with Signs of a True Gardener
September — In which I get my hands on my new workspace
October — In which I struggle with wardrobe and team loyalty
November — In which Chuck and Amigo cook Racing Sausage Kabobs
December — In which the family helps me taste and review a Hickory Farms Gift Basket
2012 promises to be an active and eventful year politically, if not more. Follow along as I live it! Compost Happens will continue to bring you real life as it happens from Daisy, your groundskeeper, taking care of home, garden, family, and coffee.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares

>What a difference – a year makes

Posted on by
Reply

>

One year ago, it was the end of a year and the beginning of a long winter’s nap. Rest. Healing period. I took a leave of absence from my teaching job after the winter break to rest and seek treatment for the worst depression of my life. Now — well, I’ve come a long, long way.
In 2011:
I learned that it was possible to love my work, but hate my job.
I used my writing skill to procure grant money, buying books for struggling readers. No one at school seemed to care.
My physical and mental health were at the lowest I’ve ever experienced.
I struggled to get through Christmas, a holiday I usually love.
“My” Green Bay Packers had one more season game left. To make the playoffs as a wild card team, they had to beat their arch rivals (and division champions) Da Bears. They beat them – and more.
I was preparing to visit doctors, counselors, and the pharmacy often. Very often.
As 2012 begins:
I can say I love my work. I found a position that utilizes my teaching strengths and my interests in technology.
I use my writing skill for blogging, and I have a workable rough draft of a non-fiction book.
I also use my writing skill to communicate with parents of my students. This skill was useful last September when I recruited families to attend a field trip that had been poorly attended in the past. My coworkers were thrilled.

Both my physical and mental health have improved significantly. No, they’ve improved greatly. I’m not out of the woods yet, I haven’t reached full strength emotionally and physically, but I’m doing very, very well overall.
Christmas was as it should be – a time to gather with family and friends to enjoy the traditions that make the holiday special.
My Green Bay Packers clinched the division title weeks ago, a first round bye and home field advantage last week, and head into the playoffs with an impressive win-loss record. Did you notice that absence of quotation marks around the word my? Check it out here.
Doctors and other medical professionals? I value those who helped treat me through the toughest and darkest hours last year. I’m in their offices much less often now, and that’s a good feeling.
What a difference a year makes – in so many ways. I still have flashbacks, usually in the form of nightmares or insomnia. I still tire easily, or at least more easily that I feel I should. However, this happens much less often now than it did just twelve months ago. But thanks to family, friends, and medical professionals, the marathon that is recovery continues.
I won’t even bother to go into the political climate in the past year – yet. It’ll show up in another post or posts.

Share and Enjoy !

Shares