Warm days, old friends...

Mike is a great friend of mine from my Outdoor Ed. days.  This past weekend he came up for a visit, and I got to show off Midland a bit.  There may be many things about this quirky little town that I dislike (see old blog posts), but there are also many things about it that I LOVE.  We spent a great day visiting the local Indian restaurant, used book store, downtown shops, and my favorite coffee shop.  The next day we visited my favorite place in the world: the Chippewa Nature Center. 

The fact that the Chippewa Nature Center can exist and be as well-funded and well-maintained as it is says a lot about what a community values.  It is an amazing piece of land with passionate, well-educated staff.  I loved working at their day camp, and hope someday to have a part-time job as one of thier naturalists.

It was great to spend time with Miker again - talking to someone about common passions is very important, and there aren't a lot of wilderness junkies in the area (at least that I know of.)  I would really love it if he were to get a job at the Nature Center's preschool and land in the area for a while!

Do Re Mi...

We finally got the piano moved in!  Now I can practice my lovely music ALL DAY LONG, which Husband LOVES.  The strains of RE-RE-RE DO-MI-SOL over and over again are not maddening at all.  I am currently working my way through our Harmony Road 2 book, which puts me at about the level of one of our five year olds.  (I am exaggerating, but only mildly.) 

The Children's School of Music is pretty awesome.  I am easily the worst pianist (to be fair, I have never taken music lessons outside of school, and wasn't even in band...)  This frustrates me, because I like to be the best at everything.  I feel like it's very important to be prepared and work my hardest at what I do - I partially learned it working Outdoor Ed... being obsessively prepared with a million and one things to do when things go wrong.  It's important when you work with kids.

The problem is, my musical "bag of tricks" is so much smaller than my teambuilding or nature hiking ones.  I had a great time working Nature Day Camp, was confident and awesome because I had so much experience.  Music is a much more technical thing, and being enthusiastic and good with kids isn't enough.  I have always had the background knowledge in nature and cultural history - add literature, and you have my passions.  My musical knowledge is much more organic, and I am a little frightened that I will accidentally give a kid the wrong information.

I think my niche here is going to be in recruiting and running the young children's programs/music on the go programs.  I find my confidence and skills with infants and toddlers is already skyrocketing compared to what it was (I definitely was not a baby fan prior to this job), and the more I do it, hopefully the better I get.  We teach them the building blocks of rhythm and tone... but hopefully I can do more.  If I can teach kids to love music, to have fun with music... and then the more experienced musicians can give them the knowledge they need.

That's my plan anyway.

Rabbit Season...

Our plan for this year was to get the garden up and running, and make it productive.  If all goes according to plan, our next step will be raising meat rabbits.

I have never raised rabbits, and frankly don't really care for them as pets; that may be why I found it easy to make the jump to the idea of rabbits as a food source.  They are ideal for urban homesteads, since they are quiet and don't need much space.  Their manure makes an excellent fertilizer (it is the only manure that won't "burn" plants if put directly into the garden), and their pelts are nice too.  Apparently they are relatively easy to kill and dress, which makes them an excellent starter animal.

But there was one problem - we had never eaten rabbit before.  That seemed the most important thing to consider if we were seriously considering them as our first livestock.  Luckily the last time I was at the Farmer's Market the Amish man was there (don't get me started on the Amish man's booth... I spend at least $10 more if he's there than if he isn't.)  He sells cheese, eggs, granola, and meat... lo and behold, he carries rabbit!

I found this recipe online (combined a few, actually... most called for heavy cream soups or sour cream, and we're trying to be more healthy...)

INGREDIENTS:

• Rabbit meat, dressed.
• Herbs and Garlic
• Worcestershire sauce
• Plain yogurt
• 1 can vegetable or chicken stock
• Carrots and Potatoes, quartered and rinsed.

Put all ingredients into the slow cooker and cook for 8 hours on low.  Meat should be under or nearly submerged in the broth - add water to mixture if the broth isn't high enough.

This was really tasty!  Rabbit tastes a bit like a VERY lean pork to me - there was virtually no fat, which means that the meat can run a bit dry (most people fry or slow cook it for this reason), but it also means that if you're picky about fat on food (Husband and I both HATE to eat a piece of fat...) rabbit might be the meat for you!  The meat fell right off of the bone, and most of it was edible.  I think next time I might coat the rabbit in the yogurt before the spices, as this might keep more moisture trapped in the meat.

Overall, if more people ate rabbit (or other low-impact livestock) and kept the cows for the special occasions, the planet (and our bodies) would be in MUCH better shape right now!

Blueberry Muffins with Honey

One of my biggest goals this summer is to improve the quality of the foods Husband and I eat.  I love living in a town that has an amazing Farmer's Market (see past raves about that...), and there are several smaller-scale markets nearby.  The problem, of course, is what do you do with all of this bounty once you've made the purchases?  Too often my compost bin bulges with all of the fruits and vegetables I had every intention of using... until the idea of ordering a pizza seemed more appealing.  

That being said, I plan to really make the most of fruits and vegetables this season.  My homesteading plans are underway, the plants and herbs are in the ground, and now I need to make sure that I will make use of them!  Anyway, here's a favorite family recipe for amazing blueberry muffins!

INGREDIENTS: 

1 Egg (Beaten)

3/4 Cup Milk

3/4 Cup Blueberries

1/2 Cup Oil

2 Cups Flour

1/3 Cup Sugar

3 Tsp. Baking Powder

1 Tsp. Salt

Brown Sugar to Top

Rinse your blueberries under cold water!

Mix all wet ingredients.

I used 3/4 cup honey instead of 1/3 cup sugar to sweeten the muffins.  I love the subtlety of the sweetness... and honey has amazing health benefits and NEVER goes bad!  

Add the dry ingredients and blueberries.  I added 1/2 of the blueberries, mixed them in, and then added the rest... it makes some of the berries mushy and flavors the batter, and others whole.

Bake at 400 degrees Farenheit for 20 minutes.  When the muffins have been baked for a few minutes, pull them out and top them with brown sugar.  This makes a lovely crusty top!  I waited a bit too long with this, my first batch, so the sugar didn't stick as well as I would have liked.

A new little person has come into the world this past weekend.  I know it sounds cheesy, but every birth is really quite a small miracle - one minute there's a little thing inside of you jumping on your kidneys, and the next that little thing has a face and a voice and a personality.  It's amazing.

Along the lines of new life, the home has really sprung to life recently - I fenced in the raspberries, the apple tree is finally in bloom, and the garden is officially in.  I love my backyard in the spring.

Even though my yard is horrible and full of violets and grubs, it's so pretty!  And the grubs attract all sorts of birds and small mammals (my first time mowing I got a rare above-ground glimpse of a little gray mole!)  So, even though I try to keep the front yard neat and tidy, I have sort of married myself to the beautiful chaos of the backyard.

Husband and I have been rewatching Arrested Development for the past few days.  Every time I watch it it reminds me again why it is my favorite television show... why I hate the networks for cancelling it (and wonderful shows like it) and why I hate the American public for just sitting back and letting it happen.  And yet, with the delightful narration of Ron Howard and the little ukulele theme tume leading the way, I can still sit back and bask in the glory of it for the two and a half seasons that it DID exist.  In honor, I shall list my favorite television shows.

1) Arrested Development (2003-2006).  Follows the trials and tribulations of the ridiculously self-involved Bluth clan.  When patriarch George is arrested for "light treason," good son Michael must try to keep the family and the business held together.  This is pretty much the greatest comedy show ever written.  So many jokes crammed into every episode that, even on the fifth or sixth viewing, you are catching something else.  Jokes that honor the long-term viewers while not feeling exclusive to new viewers.  Characters that are simultaneously completely over-the-top, and completely like your own family.  Pure joy.

Favorite Character(s): It's a tie between Tobias and The Narrator... but pretty much every character is horrible and lovable and hilarious.  Oh yeah, and Barry Zuckercorn.  And the bad-news doctor.
Favorite Story Arc:  Mrs. Phyllidia Featherbottom!  Also really enjoyed Maeby as a studio exec.

2) Pushing Daisies (2007-2009).  When Ned is a boy, he discovers that he has the ability to bring dead things back to life with just a touch.  Unfortunately, a second touch from Ned kills the subject again, and this "gift" causes Ned to become an odd but earnest young piemaker with no real attachments in his life save his Golden Retriever, Digby.  When he hears of the untimely death of his childhood sweetheart, Chuck, he can't resist bringing her back to life - no matter what the results.  Described as a "Forensic Fairy Tale,"  there has never been anything quite like Pushing Daisies.  I want to LIVE in this show!  It is magical, mysterious, dark, funny, and ultimately extremely cheerful.

Favorite Character(s):  Olive!  Also Emerson Cod and the Aunts.
Favorite Story Arc: Get Thee to a Nunnery... or Rent-A-Friend!


3) The Venture Brothers (2003 - Present).  Twins Hank and Dean live with their hulking bodyguard Brock Samson and thier father Rusty Venture - a former child genius and boy adventurer a la Johnny Quest, now a balding, pill-popping dismal failure living off of his brilliant father's glory.  This adult animated show ruthlessly lampoons old Hannah-Barbara cartoons, while maintaining a brilliant storyline and a massive cast of brilliant characters.  Almost too clever for its own good... almost.

Favorite Character(s):  This is TOO hard!  If forced, I might have to say Dr. Girlfriend and The Monarch... Although my favorite FAVORITE guest moment HAS to be Dr. Dugong... and I love all the old Jonas Venture bits...
Favorite Episode: "The Family that Slays Together." Parts 1 and 2


4) My Name is Earl (2005-2009).  Earl Hickey is a deadbeat, small-time criminal who wins the lottery, but is immediately hit by a car.  In the hospital he hears Carson Daly talking about Karma on television, and Earl makes a decision to turn his life around.  With the mantra of "Do good things, good things happen,"  Earl and his brother Randy revisit their troubled pasts and try to make amends for the things they did wrong.  A top-notch ensemble, unique characters, and hilarious and heartwarming writing made this show a never-miss!

Favorite Character(s): Joy and the Crabman!  Close second to Randy.
Favorite Story Arc: Crabman's secret past!

5) Seinfeld (1990-1998).  "A show about nothing."  This mother of the modern comedy follows the lives of comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his self-obsessed friends as they go about thier trivial lives.  Absolutely brilliant, and hasn't lost anything over the years!

Favorite Character(s): George and Elaine.  Puddy.
Favorite Episodes: The Parking Garage, The Fusilli Jerry, The Marine Biologist, The Rye

6) Quantum Leap (1989-1993).  In attempting to create a time travel device, Dr. Sam Beckett accidentally becomes trapped in the past.  He "leaps" into the body of another person, and must "put right what once went wrong" before he can "leap" away.  His best friend Al is the only one who can communicate with him, in the form of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear.  This amazing sci-fi show expertly combined humor, mystery, action, romance, and uplifting stories.  With a regular cast of only two, Al and Sam carry the show with a wonderful chemistry.  A classic.

Favorite Character(s): Al.  But Sam is great too!
Favorite Episodes: Catch a Falling Star, What Price Gloria?, Good Night Dear Heart, The Leap Home, Black on White on Fire... sooo many.

7) King of the Hill (1997-2010).  Hank Hill is just your average hardworking middle-class Texan - but his friends and neighbors are anything but normal.  Hank and his wife Peggy deal with the mundane aspects of life while trying to raise thier son Bobby in a world that, at times, seems to have lost all common sense.  This show is a gem - the characters are so real they feel like friends, and the show at times seems to be the only one that weighs in on political issues and current events while maintaining humor, optimism, and dignity.

Favorite Character(s): Khan and Minh!  I also have a strong love-hate thing with Peggy.
Favorite Episodes: High Anxiety, I Don't Wanna Wait for Our Lives to be Over, That's What She Said, The Redneck on Rainey Street, Orange you Sad I Did Say Banana?, Peggy's Magic Sex Feet



8)Flight of the Conchords (2007-2009).  Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement are the two members of New Zealand's fourth most popular folk-parody band, The Flight of the Conchords.  Transplanted to America, they try to make it big in the city.  This is an odd little musical show, quirky and supremely deadpan.  It has great songs and a clever supporting cast!

Favorite Character(s): Murray!
Favorite Episodes: Bowie, The Actor, The New Cup

9) Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969).  Captain James T. Kirk leads his crew on a mission of deep space exploration and adventure.  I can't really describe how much I love this show... it was the first science fiction show to fully realize the potential of the genre to make us look at our own time, our own issues differently.  It broke barriers in regards to race as well, showcasing characters from many origins working together.  It had the first interracial kiss ever broadcast on TV!  It had groovy 60's babes, melodramatic fight scenes, and WILLIAM SHATNER.  I acknowledge that parts of this show haven't aged well (especially graphics and costumes), and some episodes are downright silly, but it remains one of my favorites to this day!

Favorite Character(s): Mr. Sulu!  

Favorite Episodes: The City on the Edge of Forever, Return to Tomorrow, Bread and Circuses, The Menagerie

10) Futurama (1999-Present) Phillip J. Frye is a loser in the year 1999... but when he is accidentally frozen and transported 1000 years into the future, he meets a hilarious group of misfits at a space delivery service owned by his senile great-great-great-great-grandnephew, and finds that maybe the year he was born in wasn't the year he was meant to be in.  Filled with great guest stars and awesome homages to classic science fiction, this adult animated show is a must-watch!

Favorite Character(s): Zap Branigan!  Also Dr. Zoidberg.  And Richard Nixon.

Favorite Episodes: Branigan Begin Again, Cyber House Rules, A Head in the Polls, How Hermes Requisitioned his Groove Back.

I seem to have a thing for animated shows and sci-fi.  I also noticed that this is disproportionately comedy-heavy... I just feel like no matter how good a drama is, I'm never going to re-watch it like I will with a comedy.  Maybe one day I will do a list of top 10 dramas to even out the playing field.

Peanut is wondering why we are still awake at this hour.

Now that Husband has gone back to work at the prison, he's on second shift.  This throws a bit of a kink into my prior blogging schedule - he likes to use the computer in the mornings.  Perhaps that is a good thing?  Anyway, a bit of a backlog going on, but hopefully I will get it sorted!

In honor of the spring cleaning inside and out that has been going on, I'd like to take a moment to mention my FAVORITE cleaning products in the world.  Method brand products smell GREAT, are made with natural ingredients, aren't animal tested, are made with recycled packaging, and aren't really that expensive compared with other brands.  The bottles are pretty, and apparently you can even DRINK the solvents without hurting yourself!  I have been using mine for nearly a year now, and I always feel like my bathroom and kitchen are getting the best sort of clean.  I can't wait to try the detergent when I need new stuff.

The Tub and Tile on the far right is the best thing ever!

It's been a while... again.  I've been taking advantage of the lovely weather and getting the garden in (more info on that later.)  Working outside in the sun and air is SO fulfilling... I feel justified in my hour of Paper Mario or a good book at night before going to sleep really tired.  I don't have much time for this blog because I am off to work and then AUDITIONS again (more on this later as well!), but I would just like to give thanks for a moment that I am able to pick up a few extra hours and some "breathing room" cash working with lovely people who really care about kids and music.  I am starting to feel useful at the School, and that's something that's very important to me.  Here's hoping that our summer camps fill out, and we get lots of new families for the fall!

I can't believe I am already thinking about the fall!  Three-years-ago Jessica would have had nothing in mind beyond a canoe trip or concert in August!  It's amazing how the days and weeks fill up as you get more involved in your community.  Sometimes it's irritating - I just want to walk my dog, garden, cook, and relax.  But it's a nice feeling, too...

A few stills from behind the scenes of Restoration Theater's Shakespeare by Victoria...

Brian as Shakespeare gets carried away...

Katie as Elizabeth berates Dana as the Dark Lady while Brian  laughs...

Kyle as Marcellous hides behind David as Horatio during a ghostly encounter.

Katie as Senator Webley muses to Allison as Miss Lawford

I as Miss Hartington am scandalized by Kyle's drunken butler.

This new group works out of Creative 360, a neat little art center in Midland.  They aim to interpret free domain (classic) works in a more modern environment.  The art in the background is a free exhibit in the building... it is all done by Armin Mersmann, a nationally recognized graphite artist from Midland.  It's pretty amazing stuff!

This was my favorite work of his at the exhibit - it's titled "Occasional Angel."  You can't get the full scope of how amazingly detailed his work is without seeing it in person.  Definitely worth stopping in to 360 before the exhibit closes!