Friday night, I made Mulled wine and apple crisp for my friends. A while ago, I finally learned that a friend of mine doesn't drink red wine. But, she had asked for Cosmos, so the wine choice really didn't matter. But, I decided to use white wine. It was amazing!!
http://www.ehow.com/how_10318_make-mulled-wine.html
2/3 c. sugar
1 750ml bottle wine (I used reisling)
1/2 c. brandy
6 to 8 cloves
1 cinnamon stick
orange peel from 1/2 orange
1. Pour the wine into a nonreactive saucepan and place over low heat.
2. Cut the zest off half an orange with a sharp paring knife or vegetable peeler so that only the orange part is removed. If some of the bitter white pith is still attached to the zest, cut it off and discard it.
3. Lightly pound the pieces of zest with the back of a knife or a mallet to release the aromatic oils. Add the zest to the wine. Squeeze some juice in, too.
4. Add the remaining ingredients.
5. Stir occasionally. Do not let the wine come to a boil.
6. When the wine begins to steam and is very hot, it is ready to serve.
7. Shut off the heat and ladle the wine out into mugs or glasses, leaving the seasonings behind.
Some tips from the website:
Mulled wine can be made from red or white wine. Zinfandel is great, but merlot also works well. Among white wines, riesling and viognier are good choices.
Wines that have been aged in oak do not make good mulled wine.
Don't pay too much for wine to mull, but don't pay too little, either. A bad wine becomes even worse when heated. Shoot for the $7 to $10 range.
If using white wine, try using Turbinado (unrefined) sugar for a more complex taste. Turbinado's subtleties are lost in red wine, however.
Always use a stainless steel, ceramic, heatproof glass or nonstick coated pot to mull the wine in. The acids in the wine can react with an aluminum pot and give the final product a metallic taste.
Thankfully, I did most of my house cleaning in prep for Friday night. Thank goodness because 2 soccer games and a birthday party didn't leave much time for me to clean before the neighbors came for dinner. Dinner was so much fun -- I can't wait to tell you the stories about that. But, that will have to be another post.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Theme??
On Friday, I'm having so people over (partylite party).
What I need is a drink and dessert idea. I've served Cosmopolitans and margaritas before, I was trying to think of something new.
I can't decide on dessert either. I'm low on energy, so I need something easy. It doesn't have to be elaborate. If all else fails, I'll go back to birthday cake.
Suggestions welcome.
What I need is a drink and dessert idea. I've served Cosmopolitans and margaritas before, I was trying to think of something new.
I can't decide on dessert either. I'm low on energy, so I need something easy. It doesn't have to be elaborate. If all else fails, I'll go back to birthday cake.
Suggestions welcome.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sorry I've not been around too much this week. I've not been sleeping well. I'm not sure if the meds I've been taking is causing insomnia or if I'm overstressed from work, or both - but I'm not sleeping well, and therefore tired and unmotivated.
Class Thursday night was a bit interesting. I'd decided to watch a movie rather than have a reading. In the beginning of class, I was giving some general instructions and some member of the class were chatting. I finally had to play the "middle school" line of "do you have something to share with the class?"
Then, as I was about to start the movie, I realized that one of the students still had an ear bud from his mp3 player hanging from his ear. I told him that he didn't need the ear bud to listen to the movie. He told me that he might fall asleep as he turned OFF the mp3 player and took out the ear bud.
OK, I realize that this is a different generation of students (and when I was this age, passing notes was the most I did), but I'm still amazed that they can't seem to pay attention to class without listening to music.
I guess for a while, I need to treat them like they are in middle school. Hopefully they will learn that they are actually in college.
They need a few other lectures also. I don't mind some joking, but they also need to take things seriously when it's time or I can't determine how well they are learning and can't give them a grade they may deserve.
Class Thursday night was a bit interesting. I'd decided to watch a movie rather than have a reading. In the beginning of class, I was giving some general instructions and some member of the class were chatting. I finally had to play the "middle school" line of "do you have something to share with the class?"
Then, as I was about to start the movie, I realized that one of the students still had an ear bud from his mp3 player hanging from his ear. I told him that he didn't need the ear bud to listen to the movie. He told me that he might fall asleep as he turned OFF the mp3 player and took out the ear bud.
OK, I realize that this is a different generation of students (and when I was this age, passing notes was the most I did), but I'm still amazed that they can't seem to pay attention to class without listening to music.
I guess for a while, I need to treat them like they are in middle school. Hopefully they will learn that they are actually in college.
They need a few other lectures also. I don't mind some joking, but they also need to take things seriously when it's time or I can't determine how well they are learning and can't give them a grade they may deserve.
Friday, September 14, 2007
General musing! Grab a cuppa, it's a long one
So much on my brain, and so little energy. Yesterday morning I woke up early to finish some stuff from work. OK, OK, I know, 5:30 in the morning wasn't normal work hours. But, I have a certain way that I work best. I learned as an undergrad that if I work on something for a bit in the evening and the words aren't coming, I go to bed and let my brain process, wake up at 5:00 or 5:30 and crank out what was giving me a block.
Anyway, while I was working, I could hear a mouse entertaining him or herself in the kitchen, then the playroom, then running across the living room floor.
Last night I kept waking up and hearing the same mouse. I didn't sleep well.
On the job front: Yesterday I was having lunch with a friend and her husband. Believe it or not, I'm buying meals to eat at the dorms. The variety is better than the on campus eatery and the price is better too. So, while we were sitting there, the guy who is the manager of the job I'm thinking about applying for sat down with us. It was a bit of kismet.
So, at the moment, he is willing to let me work 20 hours this semester, 30 next, and then work 30 hours in the fall and 40 hours in the spring. The potential flexibility is great because it means that I can keep teaching. But, he said that he really would like to ultimately like to have someone full time. Eventually I would too.
I talked to DH about it a bit last night, and he told me to be wary of jumping to another job quickly that still isn't what I want to do nor is a promotion. I do like my job, it's just my boss who bugs me. And, not all the time. I think that I can make a difference where I am. . . . and I have some things in the works that I'd like to see through this year.
This job is either something that will take off and grow, and I could grow with it - or it will fall apart within the next few years.
I was going to try to apply over the weekend, but I think I might try to meet with the Director one more time to get a better idea of the job and expectations. I want to make sure that at the beginning of the job, it's not going to have too many administrative tasks - I'm not good at them.
Sarah had a soccer game last night. One of the downsides to teaching is that Sarah plays Tuesdays or Thursdays - the days I teach. So, I didn't get to watch the soccer game last night, but I hear Sarah did really well. She's come close to getting some goals. I need to bring the video camera to Sat. games to film both girls. I have been amused at DH. This spring he was rolling his eyes at the idea of a travel team for 1st graders. Now he is talking to Sarah's coaches about how she might be able to try out. It is true that Sarah loves soccer and is showing some skills. It is also true that playing travel teams now will help her is she wants to play in high school as she would be competing against kids who have been on travel teams. And, she does need more skills practice (I think I want to propose to our soccer association that they incorporate more practice time in the season rather than 3 weeks of practice and 2 mos of 2 games per week. If they changed some of the mid-week games to practice during the season, the kids would be able to hone the skills they are starting to understand during the games.
I'm really enjoying my students and class this fall. About half of them are really talking. Last night they did complain that there was alot being assigned, but I pointed out that I could change it some, but then they would be writing their paper over the week long Thanksgiving break (ok, I didn't tell them they would be reading a book, but its not quite the same!) When I explained that there are a lot of requirements for the class and I do try to spread the work out (and give them reading assignments in at least a week before it's due so they can work on it when they have time rather than try to read stuff in just a few days - they understood that I am considering their limitations and trying to be considerate.
In between dance for Sydney, homework for Sarah, and Soccer for Sarah, we went to the picnic for our block at the University President's social house. He doesn't live there, but it is down the street from us so they try to be "neighborly" since we have to deal with the extra traffic when they have events at the house.
I was talking with D a bit and learned a bit more about the house. He was one of 6 kids, so the four bedrooms are a bit small to accommodate the need for some many people. He always thought the garage was too small as it really only accommodated one car even though it's billed as a "two car garage."
I also learned that the room off the garage was used to keep the freezer and store wood for the fireplace.
I also asked when his mom passed away, and he said it was about 1994. So, the R family owned the house for about 8-9 years and we've had it for 5. We are the third owner of the house.
I need to get Sydney to preschool. I hope everyone has a great day.
Anyway, while I was working, I could hear a mouse entertaining him or herself in the kitchen, then the playroom, then running across the living room floor.
Last night I kept waking up and hearing the same mouse. I didn't sleep well.
On the job front: Yesterday I was having lunch with a friend and her husband. Believe it or not, I'm buying meals to eat at the dorms. The variety is better than the on campus eatery and the price is better too. So, while we were sitting there, the guy who is the manager of the job I'm thinking about applying for sat down with us. It was a bit of kismet.
So, at the moment, he is willing to let me work 20 hours this semester, 30 next, and then work 30 hours in the fall and 40 hours in the spring. The potential flexibility is great because it means that I can keep teaching. But, he said that he really would like to ultimately like to have someone full time. Eventually I would too.
I talked to DH about it a bit last night, and he told me to be wary of jumping to another job quickly that still isn't what I want to do nor is a promotion. I do like my job, it's just my boss who bugs me. And, not all the time. I think that I can make a difference where I am. . . . and I have some things in the works that I'd like to see through this year.
This job is either something that will take off and grow, and I could grow with it - or it will fall apart within the next few years.
I was going to try to apply over the weekend, but I think I might try to meet with the Director one more time to get a better idea of the job and expectations. I want to make sure that at the beginning of the job, it's not going to have too many administrative tasks - I'm not good at them.
Sarah had a soccer game last night. One of the downsides to teaching is that Sarah plays Tuesdays or Thursdays - the days I teach. So, I didn't get to watch the soccer game last night, but I hear Sarah did really well. She's come close to getting some goals. I need to bring the video camera to Sat. games to film both girls. I have been amused at DH. This spring he was rolling his eyes at the idea of a travel team for 1st graders. Now he is talking to Sarah's coaches about how she might be able to try out. It is true that Sarah loves soccer and is showing some skills. It is also true that playing travel teams now will help her is she wants to play in high school as she would be competing against kids who have been on travel teams. And, she does need more skills practice (I think I want to propose to our soccer association that they incorporate more practice time in the season rather than 3 weeks of practice and 2 mos of 2 games per week. If they changed some of the mid-week games to practice during the season, the kids would be able to hone the skills they are starting to understand during the games.
I'm really enjoying my students and class this fall. About half of them are really talking. Last night they did complain that there was alot being assigned, but I pointed out that I could change it some, but then they would be writing their paper over the week long Thanksgiving break (ok, I didn't tell them they would be reading a book, but its not quite the same!) When I explained that there are a lot of requirements for the class and I do try to spread the work out (and give them reading assignments in at least a week before it's due so they can work on it when they have time rather than try to read stuff in just a few days - they understood that I am considering their limitations and trying to be considerate.
In between dance for Sydney, homework for Sarah, and Soccer for Sarah, we went to the picnic for our block at the University President's social house. He doesn't live there, but it is down the street from us so they try to be "neighborly" since we have to deal with the extra traffic when they have events at the house.
I was talking with D a bit and learned a bit more about the house. He was one of 6 kids, so the four bedrooms are a bit small to accommodate the need for some many people. He always thought the garage was too small as it really only accommodated one car even though it's billed as a "two car garage."
I also learned that the room off the garage was used to keep the freezer and store wood for the fireplace.
I also asked when his mom passed away, and he said it was about 1994. So, the R family owned the house for about 8-9 years and we've had it for 5. We are the third owner of the house.
I need to get Sydney to preschool. I hope everyone has a great day.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Amazingly, this was pretty close to right
1. Go here
2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark
3. Take their “Career Matchmaker” questions
4. Post the top ten results.
I did list all 40 and noted which jobs I'm currently doing in bold and notes about others. Not a bad evaluation.
1. Research Analyst (Financial) <---- an actual job of mine
2. Economist
3. Purchaser
4. Venture Capitalist
5. Management Consultant
6. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist <---- considered this as a career at one point.
7. Health Care Administrator <--- almost a job
8. Money Manager
9. Certified Public Accountant
10. Insurance Underwriter
11. Project Manager <---- always been a component of almost all my jobs
12. Logistics Specialist <----- done this one too
13. Association Manager
14. Forester
15. Operations Research Analyst
16. ESL Teacher
17. Website Designer
18. Curator
19. Foreign Language Instructor
20. Mathematician
21. Office Manager
22. Industrial Designer
23. Technical Writer <---- done this as part of jobs too
24. Historian
25. Interior Designer <---- you'd not think this if you saw my house
26. Desktop Publisher
27. Multimedia Developer
28. Anthropologist
29. Professor <--------- Currently doing this
30. Office Machine Repairer
31. Computer Programmer
32. Computer Network Specialist
33. Electronics Engineering Tech
34. Electrical Engineering Tech
35. Cabinetmaker <----- cool! I just DH to finish giving me lessons.
36. Sign Maker
37. Model Maker
38. Computer Trainer
39. Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator
40. Electronics Assembler
2. Put in Username: nycareers, Password: landmark
3. Take their “Career Matchmaker” questions
4. Post the top ten results.
I did list all 40 and noted which jobs I'm currently doing in bold and notes about others. Not a bad evaluation.
1. Research Analyst (Financial) <---- an actual job of mine
2. Economist
3. Purchaser
4. Venture Capitalist
5. Management Consultant
6. Industrial-Organizational Psychologist <---- considered this as a career at one point.
7. Health Care Administrator <--- almost a job
8. Money Manager
9. Certified Public Accountant
10. Insurance Underwriter
11. Project Manager <---- always been a component of almost all my jobs
12. Logistics Specialist <----- done this one too
13. Association Manager
14. Forester
15. Operations Research Analyst
16. ESL Teacher
17. Website Designer
18. Curator
19. Foreign Language Instructor
20. Mathematician
21. Office Manager
22. Industrial Designer
23. Technical Writer <---- done this as part of jobs too
24. Historian
25. Interior Designer <---- you'd not think this if you saw my house
26. Desktop Publisher
27. Multimedia Developer
28. Anthropologist
29. Professor <--------- Currently doing this
30. Office Machine Repairer
31. Computer Programmer
32. Computer Network Specialist
33. Electronics Engineering Tech
34. Electrical Engineering Tech
35. Cabinetmaker <----- cool! I just DH to finish giving me lessons.
36. Sign Maker
37. Model Maker
38. Computer Trainer
39. Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator
40. Electronics Assembler
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Rainy Day Musings
Today it's a cold, rainy fall day. My ankle has been bothering me, so I'm taking a day to just rest on the couch. I have so many things I should be doing, but I'm wiped out. So, I've been sitting on the couch surfing the net and working on Sydney's cross stitch. I worked pretty hard on cleaning the house this weekend so I'm even sitting in a fairly neat living room.
Work has been exhausting me. My boss isn't the easiest person to work for. He only gives 1/2 the direction you need to complete any task and if he doesn't see results, he believes that you are not working on it and never actually asks. When you do try to discuss an issue with him, he just decides that he doesn't have time for it and announces that you should solve it for him. I currently work 20 hours doing two jobs that should easily be done in 40 but there is only money for 20. When I comment that I don't have time for everything, the comment is "work more effectively." So, I'm perpetually exhausted by this job.There is another job, similar job description, that is full time but probably can be reduced to 30 hours. I've thought about applying because the thought of maybe having a boss who can actually direct things isn't a bad idea.But, I like my 20 hour job. I keep thinking that I might just be able to find another since I've sent a few feelers out.
Classes started this week. I seem to have a pretty good class. They seem to be willing to talk a bit. I did finally decide to talk with the class about what kind of information they could include for each part of the paper. This, of course, included my saying things like "what could you do for this?" If they missed an obvious idea, I chimed in. We'll see what they come up with now. I still hate my last assignment, so I really hope I get inspired with another idea before the end of the semester.
For the past two years, I've been wanting to invite our neighbors for dinner. I finally did it s I have a few years to get the house in order. They winter in florida and had just bought the house behind us two years ago this month. Last year the summer just got past me and this year I wasn't too mobile. The reason it's harder to invite them is that D's parents built this house. I think he's been in the house once with the previous owners (we are the third owners). I can't wait to learn more about the house. Di (D's wife) has said that she can bring some home movies for us to see. I can't wait. I love knowing little things about the house. Like the lot was purchased for $1 and that it was the first house "out of town" in this stretch.
I did warn them that it won't look the way I'd like it to before they saw it. Mrs. M has been quoted to me by more than one person as being an amazing housekeeper. Me, I can't keep the house neat enough for my MIL to be comfortable here.
I should finish up my chapter so I can post it, or run to the store to buy a new phone since both of ours are dying a slow death. But, I think I'll work on Pooh Bear's arm just a little longer.
Work has been exhausting me. My boss isn't the easiest person to work for. He only gives 1/2 the direction you need to complete any task and if he doesn't see results, he believes that you are not working on it and never actually asks. When you do try to discuss an issue with him, he just decides that he doesn't have time for it and announces that you should solve it for him. I currently work 20 hours doing two jobs that should easily be done in 40 but there is only money for 20. When I comment that I don't have time for everything, the comment is "work more effectively." So, I'm perpetually exhausted by this job.There is another job, similar job description, that is full time but probably can be reduced to 30 hours. I've thought about applying because the thought of maybe having a boss who can actually direct things isn't a bad idea.But, I like my 20 hour job. I keep thinking that I might just be able to find another since I've sent a few feelers out.
Classes started this week. I seem to have a pretty good class. They seem to be willing to talk a bit. I did finally decide to talk with the class about what kind of information they could include for each part of the paper. This, of course, included my saying things like "what could you do for this?" If they missed an obvious idea, I chimed in. We'll see what they come up with now. I still hate my last assignment, so I really hope I get inspired with another idea before the end of the semester.
For the past two years, I've been wanting to invite our neighbors for dinner. I finally did it s I have a few years to get the house in order. They winter in florida and had just bought the house behind us two years ago this month. Last year the summer just got past me and this year I wasn't too mobile. The reason it's harder to invite them is that D's parents built this house. I think he's been in the house once with the previous owners (we are the third owners). I can't wait to learn more about the house. Di (D's wife) has said that she can bring some home movies for us to see. I can't wait. I love knowing little things about the house. Like the lot was purchased for $1 and that it was the first house "out of town" in this stretch.
I did warn them that it won't look the way I'd like it to before they saw it. Mrs. M has been quoted to me by more than one person as being an amazing housekeeper. Me, I can't keep the house neat enough for my MIL to be comfortable here.
I should finish up my chapter so I can post it, or run to the store to buy a new phone since both of ours are dying a slow death. But, I think I'll work on Pooh Bear's arm just a little longer.
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Just what is the right answer?? and other musings
Today, I need to finish my syllabus. I'm trying to incorporate a new book. We can either read it in its entirety or in three parts. The book discusses aspects of political, religious, and corporate organizations - the three my course covers.
Both have some merit. I think later today I may take my white board markers and go to the library to figure out how to best use the book.
I think I've modified my first assignment so it's clear enough. I've changed the due dates for the papers. The first paper was written more slowly so they had time to learn how to approach it better, but the students didn't really use the time and then the end of the semester ended up cramped. We also ended up with them revising a paper over Thanksgiving break. Worse, the presentations were just after Thanksgiving and with the paper due the class or so before, they just felt rushed to complete the presentations.
I've made a few other changes in the class this year. It used to be that they were able to re-write all three papers. This year they can only re-write the first two. I think it will make life easier on me. I still don't like my third paper assignment - I need to find a new assignment for this year. The students just don't get it. I've decided that they need a bit more of an explanation about the papers when the first one is returned. I've decided that in order to get their paper back, they need to make an appointment with me so we can review it. The first assignment grades tend to be very low and the students seem to get very discouraged. Most of the reason they are low is that they didn't address components of the paper. For some reason, they can't seem to understand that if they are scored a 2 out of 5 for answering a item on the rubric (for example "compare and contrast points A and B") that means their grade was lower not because they are bad writers, but because they didn't answer the question. When they revise the paper, they end up changing three words on the section they answered, but they never do the compare contrast. Maybe if I meet with them first, they will do better.
I also am trying to find a way to discuss the paper assignment and what kind of information I'm looking for without giving away the assignment or having them just create papers that are all identical and only include ideas discussed in class. I need to think about this a bit.
Sarah still loves her haircut. Yesterday, she climbed on the roof of our house. During one of the storms, part of a tree blew onto the house and hasn't come down in any of the rain storms, etc. I asked DH if we could get it off the roof. He decided the best way was to put Sarah on the roof and have her take it down. This meant she went on the roof from the back, walked to the front of the house and took down the tree, and walked back to the back of the house. I covered by eyes. Sarah thought it was great. (ok, I've been on the roof to clear snow and I knew it was easy to walk on since it wasn't too steep of a slope.
I did find a walking foot to fit my machine! I just need to finish my prep work for class and clean the house and I can go back to sewing! I can't wait to see how it works on my shade.
On to other things.
Both have some merit. I think later today I may take my white board markers and go to the library to figure out how to best use the book.
I think I've modified my first assignment so it's clear enough. I've changed the due dates for the papers. The first paper was written more slowly so they had time to learn how to approach it better, but the students didn't really use the time and then the end of the semester ended up cramped. We also ended up with them revising a paper over Thanksgiving break. Worse, the presentations were just after Thanksgiving and with the paper due the class or so before, they just felt rushed to complete the presentations.
I've made a few other changes in the class this year. It used to be that they were able to re-write all three papers. This year they can only re-write the first two. I think it will make life easier on me. I still don't like my third paper assignment - I need to find a new assignment for this year. The students just don't get it. I've decided that they need a bit more of an explanation about the papers when the first one is returned. I've decided that in order to get their paper back, they need to make an appointment with me so we can review it. The first assignment grades tend to be very low and the students seem to get very discouraged. Most of the reason they are low is that they didn't address components of the paper. For some reason, they can't seem to understand that if they are scored a 2 out of 5 for answering a item on the rubric (for example "compare and contrast points A and B") that means their grade was lower not because they are bad writers, but because they didn't answer the question. When they revise the paper, they end up changing three words on the section they answered, but they never do the compare contrast. Maybe if I meet with them first, they will do better.
I also am trying to find a way to discuss the paper assignment and what kind of information I'm looking for without giving away the assignment or having them just create papers that are all identical and only include ideas discussed in class. I need to think about this a bit.
Sarah still loves her haircut. Yesterday, she climbed on the roof of our house. During one of the storms, part of a tree blew onto the house and hasn't come down in any of the rain storms, etc. I asked DH if we could get it off the roof. He decided the best way was to put Sarah on the roof and have her take it down. This meant she went on the roof from the back, walked to the front of the house and took down the tree, and walked back to the back of the house. I covered by eyes. Sarah thought it was great. (ok, I've been on the roof to clear snow and I knew it was easy to walk on since it wasn't too steep of a slope.
I did find a walking foot to fit my machine! I just need to finish my prep work for class and clean the house and I can go back to sewing! I can't wait to see how it works on my shade.
On to other things.
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