Laramie, oh Laramie

Sometimes I just wake up early, when it's still dark outside, and after a while I realize I won't sleep anymore. So when I checked the weather forecast for the next few days and there is again chance of snow, I could have just sigh. It was like that last year as well, 362 days ago I signed the papers for my house and it snowed. BTW, I am amazed the house is still standing here, and also that I did not get completely crazy from it.
So, I am planning a variation of a housewarming party, and since it is one year too late, it's called the housecooling party. The insides are definitely not ready for any big celebration, there is always something to take care of etc... but one year is one year.
After an hour long "opinion exchange" with Hana, who cannot get outside her Walachian box, I decided to make my version of frgales and call them frgale, although they can also bear the name "gay pizzas" (since they are sweet and fruity). But than it is not fair to the poor Italians, since pizza is a salty pie... well, one cannot please everybody.
What is going to suck is the weather. I may still opt for making some non-barbecued dish, after all, but homemade burgers just seem to be the best choice...
After discovery of tulips budding out 2 weeks ago on the AIDS walk weekend, I watched them hen over chickens... and the snow last weekend did not make me happy.
As it turns out, tulips are hardier stock than I imagined.Now it's only a question, if they'll manage to bloom as well this year.

And if you want to feel really great, when you wake up early, rub your dog's (or anybody else's) belly, it brings luck and positive emotions!

10 years 365 days

Today was the last day of my 11th year in this country. My oh my, I started second decade by getting green card and a house...did not even have time to think about it last year... Also I feel more like an home owner this year, surviving the winter in a good shape and ready to do a bit more outside. This spring was at first crawling in quite slowly, and than all of sudden we have third week of spring and I am behind!

I was not glad to notice that some creature was digging into the mulch above the newly planted tulips at first, but then I noticed the purple-ended tips of the first tulips getting out. It will be so beautiful!

I've worked that little piece of "garden" next to the garage, incorporated into it some old pot soil in it, some sheep peat, some dry coffee grounds... it better produce some great veggies this year! I am thinking about some peas...but forgot to buy some.. and I already sowed in some chives and green onions. Tomatoes and basil is planted inside, window space allocated by the biggest window. I hope it's gonna work better this year. The hedge along the west border is trimmed and neighbor's side is cleaned as well. I could not resist and went ahead with the first barbecue of the season, not waiting for the May 1st party. And it was worth it.

gray scale

I used to think I was wearing my heart on my sleeve, but quite possibly that was only my own perception. I used to think that I liked someone to the point of loving or not. I had crushes, boyfriend, friends... With time, after I accumulated enough people in the category of "dating", I realized things were not so black and white.
At the age of 38 I met only handful of men after the break up with my partner. The first two are my friends now. Maybe three. Maybe four, but the fourth one lives far. Fifth one could easily be called an ass, but he tried not to be one and I have to give him a point for trying... apparently I am in forgiving positive mood today. Sixth one is out of my life now too, it was probably a wrong timing, although I felt right with him and about him.
The last one is a mystery, because one cannot even start describing him as wearing his heart on his sleeve. He IS the heart hanging on his own sleeve. He amazes me, disarms me, makes me want to be better, and I have not even met him yet. At the age of 38  he sent me a poem by text message! As I already said earlier in these pages I am saying now again: if I am going to hit the bottom, it's gonna hurt! This time I hope that neither of us is going to hit anything, especially the bottom. My imaginary arm wraps around him and I am discovering new pages in my soul, together with some old ones. His laugh is so similar to Blexi's, that it unnerves me, almost. Lets see what the Saturday brings.
In terms of continuing improving myself as baker-amateur, I decided to go and try the "traditional challah". It is like Czech vanocka only made without dairy (milk and butter). First time was it was fine, but did not have time to braid it.And the oil used instead of butter seemed to me to let it be greasy. Second time I did again just a half of recipe and used butter instead of oil. And braided it properly (thanks to internet).

I also let it rise more and since the dough was waiting for 2 days in the fridge, it was on the dry side. More reasons to dab some butter on it!

I am sure I'll never made is as nicely looking again. But maybe more tasty... the honey used instead of sugar is really subtle and the whole wheat flavor goes great with it, traditionally.

And now I need to bake several hundred of them, since the parchment paper with challah footsteps look like really cool wallpaper :). Doesn't it?