Project 52 (16)

I didn't take many pictures this week, but this one was on my camera and definitely represents everyday life: rain and mallards on the lake behind my place.

It feels like it's been forev since I blogged, but it was just Wednesday. How are you? I actually have food photos to share, but didn't manage to get a Food Friday post up. Next week, I guess!

This week I got my first smartphone (Android), so I've taken a few photos with it (that aren't great...it's still a cell camera, even if it is 5 megapixels) and barely touched my "real" camera. I have touched Words With Friends, though! Want to play? Let me know your username if we're not already in a game. :)

I've been pretty obsessed with the phone, trying to figure out the ideal settings and keeping an eye on my data use. It's kind of tiring, but I'll probably calm down soon enough.

Today I'm just counting down the days until my parents visit (and hoping for nice weather!) and trying to figure out how to manage my two dining sets (long story). It's an exciting life I lead!

Fallpaper Wednesday

It's been awhile, but I thought I'd post a few fallish wallpapers! Enjoy.

[TO USE: Click on the resolution that's closest to yours to open the picture (you can check your screen resolution here, although I've heard it's not always accurate). You can then right-click on top of the image and "Set as desktop background..." or whatever the similar wording is in that menu.]

1024x768 | 1280x1024 | 1680x1059


1024x768 | 1280x1024 | 1680x1059


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I had to include the raccoons!

Making Pasties

When I was visiting a friend a couple of weekends ago, his dad (who's originally from Montana) made pasties as a special dinner. I've heard of pasties through a couple of Montanans, but had never seen them before. When I brought them up in another online forum, I was told they are also big in Michigan (specifically the Upper Peninsula). Friends tell me they became popular as a meal for miners who needed something portable that didn't require a plate and utensils.

Anywho, I figured it might be fun to take a few photos of the pasty-making process. They aren't world-class photos, but I think we'll all live.


I'm sure B would want me to mention that he made the pie crust ahead of time and felt it was a little too dry/crumbly as a result. Just in case you're inspecting these photos with an eagle eye. Later they decided to warm the dough and add some water to bring it back to it's pliable self.


S peels carrots for the filling which is basically ground beef, carrots, onions and potatoes. After rolling out the dough and scooping a generous portion of filling onto the center, B added a pat of butter.


Then the pouch is sealed, and a vent is cut into the top.


Ready for the oven!


After they bake for about an hour at 350 (with bit of water added into the vent halfway through), they are ready to eat. This one broke on top a bit, but that means you can see the filling better.


It's popular to serve them with beef gravy. The end result is not unlike a pot pie, but the awesome thing is that they don't contain peas like store-bought pot pies often do (so gross!).

I couldn't stay for the official meal, so they sent me home with two unbaked pasties. If this finished one looks wrong, it's because I had nothing to compare it to. :)

October

Bonus Saturday post!


Happy October to you and you and you! This is my favorite month, so I had to go back and grab some of my photos from Octobers past. Most of these have not been in my blog before.



First, I must wish Nicole Kelly a very happy birthday. That's my Cabbage Patch Kid! For some reason I always remember her birthday is October 1st, and now she should be turning about 27. Yes, I adopted her when I was at the tender age of 8, on Christmas Day. She came to me as Henreika Kelly, but obviously I had to change that name. What were her biological parents thinking? I have no photos, but this is what she looked like. Now she's living in California, singing in a band somewhere. It's hard to keep up with that girl.



Some of the great things about October: colored leaves, beautiful sunsets and sunrises, pumpkin deliciousness, MY BIRTHDAY, apple-y things, the Balloon Fiesta in NM, some of the weather, harvesty things, the fact that it's not yet the full-blown holiday season, and memories (and hopes!) of changes and happy events that took place in October. For instance:

• I interviewed for my current job on October 17th in 2005. That day I was offered the job and it meant I'd be moving to Oregon!
• I moved into a previous apartment with my first roommate (not counting one in a dorm) in October of 2007. (Hi, Holly!)
• I moved into my current place (which I love!) on October 10th two years ago.
• I met one of my very good friends on October 23rd of 2007.
• The first time I ever met someone I had originally met online was October 30th many, many, many moons ago.

What changes does October have for me this year? I'm curious. (Hopefully it'll be a lot better than last October.)

Tell me some happy Octobery things! 

Is your birthday this month? 

Your anniversary?

Have a nice day!

Project 52 (15)

B's pasties. I actually have a handful of related photos that I'll post later this week, so not much commentary now.