annie blog

July 16, 2008
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The Day After Traveling

The Day After Traveling
Why do I do it? I always think that the day after we get back from a trip will be a productive one. Why? Repetitive stupidity on my part, without a doubt. So, yes, very little was accomplished yesterday.

But that was yesterday. Today I have big plans for decluttering, cooking, thinking, communicating, cleaning, etc.

Note to self: Remember to schedule two additional days to your next trip. Include the day before, when you are running around getting everything ready. And, make sure to include the day after, when you are looking at the chaos and trying to marshal your thoughts and wondering why putting one foot in front of the other suddenly got so difficult.

July 16, 2008
by
1 Comment

The Day After Traveling

The Day After Traveling
Why do I do it? I always think that the day after we get back from a trip will be a productive one. Why? Repetitive stupidity on my part, without a doubt. So, yes, very little was accomplished yesterday.

But that was yesterday. Today I have big plans for decluttering, cooking, thinking, communicating, cleaning, etc.

Note to self: Remember to schedule two additional days to your next trip. Include the day before, when you are running around getting everything ready. And, make sure to include the day after, when you are looking at the chaos and trying to marshal your thoughts and wondering why putting one foot in front of the other suddenly got so difficult.

July 16, 2008
by
1 Comment

The Day After Traveling

The Day After Traveling
Why do I do it? I always think that the day after we get back from a trip will be a productive one. Why? Repetitive stupidity on my part, without a doubt. So, yes, very little was accomplished yesterday.

But that was yesterday. Today I have big plans for decluttering, cooking, thinking, communicating, cleaning, etc.

Note to self: Remember to schedule two additional days to your next trip. Include the day before, when you are running around getting everything ready. And, make sure to include the day after, when you are looking at the chaos and trying to marshal your thoughts and wondering why putting one foot in front of the other suddenly got so difficult.

July 15, 2008
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We Are Home

We Are Home
How about 14 hours in a car….anyone, anyone?

We just got back after a 5 day trip to Mississippi. It was fun to see everyone. I’m always happy to be back in Missouri, though. And, I don’t think that it has anything to do with where I went on the trip so much that I’m happy to be out of the car — for awhile, anyway.

I am looking around now and have discovered that there is nothing to eat for breakfast. Way to plan it, Ann. Well, let’s see, we did bring some food home with us…….root beer and pound cake. Any takers?

July 15, 2008
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0 comments

We Are Home

We Are Home
How about 14 hours in a car….anyone, anyone?

We just got back after a 5 day trip to Mississippi. It was fun to see everyone. I’m always happy to be back in Missouri, though. And, I don’t think that it has anything to do with where I went on the trip so much that I’m happy to be out of the car — for awhile, anyway.

I am looking around now and have discovered that there is nothing to eat for breakfast. Way to plan it, Ann. Well, let’s see, we did bring some food home with us…….root beer and pound cake. Any takers?

July 15, 2008
by
0 comments

We Are Home

We Are Home
How about 14 hours in a car….anyone, anyone?

We just got back after a 5 day trip to Mississippi. It was fun to see everyone. I’m always happy to be back in Missouri, though. And, I don’t think that it has anything to do with where I went on the trip so much that I’m happy to be out of the car — for awhile, anyway.

I am looking around now and have discovered that there is nothing to eat for breakfast. Way to plan it, Ann. Well, let’s see, we did bring some food home with us…….root beer and pound cake. Any takers?

July 14, 2008
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0 comments

Oliver Nails It

Oliver Nails It

“Silence like a poultice comes to heal the blows of sound.”

This line from Oliver Wendell Holmes really sums up how I feel after being in the car with my family for 10 hours.

Silence is a lovely thing — I’m already missing it.

July 14, 2008
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0 comments

Oliver Nails It

Oliver Nails It

“Silence like a poultice comes to heal the blows of sound.”

This line from Oliver Wendell Holmes really sums up how I feel after being in the car with my family for 10 hours.

Silence is a lovely thing — I’m already missing it.

July 14, 2008
by
0 comments

Oliver Nails It

Oliver Nails It

“Silence like a poultice comes to heal the blows of sound.”

This line from Oliver Wendell Holmes really sums up how I feel after being in the car with my family for 10 hours.

Silence is a lovely thing — I’m already missing it.

July 13, 2008
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Creamy Chipotle-Lime Dressing

Creamy Chipotle-Lime Dressing

This is my new favorite dressing. I made it last week for the first time to go with taco salad. But it is equally great on a green salad with peppers, cucumbers and onion. Give it a try.

5 T. fresh lime juice
1 T. coarsely chopped onion
1 small garlic clove, peeled
1-2 teaspoons minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. ground cumin
salt and ground black pepper
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup fresh cilantro (optional)

Blend lime juice, onion, garlic, chipotle, sugar, cumin, 1/2 t. salt, and 1/2 t. pepper in blender until the onion and garlic are finely chopped (10-20 seconds). Add mayo and sour cream (and cilantro, if using) and continue to process until smooth, about 15 seconds.

Some notes:
I used the smaller amount of chipotle chiles and no cilantro when I made it. Next time, I’ll use more chipotle because we like things to be zippy — I just didn’t know the first time and played it safe. The creaminess of the dressing makes it necessary (I think) to use more chiles. Chipotle chiles aren’t really that spicy, anyway, but they do add depth and smokiness to whatever you use them in. I usually buy a big can of them and flash freeze them on a cookie sheet and then pop them into a freezer bag to use when needed. They taste great in many different recipes. I always use them when I make vegetarian chili and in quesadillas. Also, if my cilantro has grown enough for me to use it next time I make the dressing, I will probably only add it to the amount used that day for salad and not to the entire dressing recipe. But that is just personal preference, of course.

Try this dressing. It is great!