Interviewer: "If you were to have a motto in life, what would it be?
Tessa Kiros: "I really think...if you are going to do something, do it well"
---
LENTILS, RICE & RED ONION SALAD
by Tessa Kiros
2 RED ONIONS, chopped
2 teaspoons SALT
5 tablespoons OLIVE OIL
2 large GARLIC CLOVES (1 chopped, the other left whole)
1 large RIPE TOMATO, peeled and chopped
2 2/3 cups BROWN LENTILS
3 3/4 cups LONG-GRAIN RICE
JUICE OF 1 1/2 LEMONS
1 SMALL RED CHILLI, seeded and finely chopped
5 1/2 oz PLAIN GREEK YOGHURT
This is more or less what they make in Peru: I have just added the yoghurt. The red onion salad gives the lentils such a lift and is also very good served with grilled (broiled) foods. I love this after it has been marinating for a few hours, even overnight, and has taken on a special fuchsia tone.
Rinse the onions and drain in a fine sieve. Keep about a quarter on one side and put the rest in a bowl. Cover with cold water, sprinkle with the salt and leave for 30 minutes or so.
Heat 3 tablespoon of the oil in a saucepan. Add the handful of onion and the chopped garlic and saute until golden. Add the tomato and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-10 minutes until the tomato has melted and the water evaporated and you can see the oil actually frying. Remove from the heat and keep aside.
Rinse the lentils and pick out any hard odd bits. Put the lentils in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over high heat. Drain, then return to the saucepan. Add about 6 cups hot water and season with salt. Bring back to the boil, then lower the heat slightly and cook, uncovered, for about 20 minutes. Add the tomato mixture and cook for another 10 minutes or so, until the lentils are soft but not mushy and there is not much liquid left. Stir occasionally to make sure they don't stick to the pan. If it seems like the lentils are drying out, add a little more water.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a saucepan and add the whole clove of garlic. Add the rice, season with salt, mix through and cook for a minute. Add enough water to come about about an inch above the top of the rice and bring to the boil, stirring once. Cook uncovered for 3-4 minutes, until a lot of the water seems to have evaporated and there are some holes on the surface. Drizzle with a tablespoon of oil, cover the pan and lower the heat to a minimum. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is dry and steaming, then fluff it up with a fork to make sure it hasn't stuck to the pan. Remove from the heat and leave the lid on if you are not eatin immediately.
Drain and rinse the soaked onion in a fine sieve. Mix with the lemon juice and chilli and a splash of olive oil and season with salt and a little pepper. Arrange a pile of lentils, a pile of rice, a small pile of onion salad and a dollop of yoghurt on each plate- some people will eat them separately while other like to stir it all together on the plate.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
It's official. I'm a rescuer. Maybe this isn't news to some of you, but it's news to me. I mean, I know I'm a rescuer of kittens and dogs and those types, but I didn't know I was a rescuer of all kinds. It hit me about an hour ago.
It sucks really. Things that need rescuing are usually not in a good place and the rescuing business is never very easy.
Why the heck did I have to turn out morally good and aware? Why?? I don't want to be. I want to be like so many other people who can sit idly by and just let things happen and grimace when things crash.
The unfortunate thing is, I will likey have to do that. We're not talking kittens here.
However, for the rescuing type, sitting idly by is very hard.....they want so badly to rescue. It causes a wide range of emotion....from guilt to anger and then to depression. You can't stop thinking about it. You wake up and it's there....on the tip of your brain.
It was like that with the kittens both times. It got so bad that I had to rescue them to bring peace to my days and know they were safe. I knew if I did nothing, I would never have peace. And if they died, I would have felt the weight of their death of my shoulders because I had the power to do something....but didn't.
Sound dramatic?
It does, I know.
But I can't help it. Like I said, I wish I could let it go. I wish I could....especially now. I have zero control so I must sit and watch things crash....and I'll take very little comfort in knowing I couldn't do anything about it.
---
Nobody said it would be easy
Nobody said it would be this hard
-The Scientist, Coldplay
It sucks really. Things that need rescuing are usually not in a good place and the rescuing business is never very easy.
Why the heck did I have to turn out morally good and aware? Why?? I don't want to be. I want to be like so many other people who can sit idly by and just let things happen and grimace when things crash.
The unfortunate thing is, I will likey have to do that. We're not talking kittens here.
However, for the rescuing type, sitting idly by is very hard.....they want so badly to rescue. It causes a wide range of emotion....from guilt to anger and then to depression. You can't stop thinking about it. You wake up and it's there....on the tip of your brain.
It was like that with the kittens both times. It got so bad that I had to rescue them to bring peace to my days and know they were safe. I knew if I did nothing, I would never have peace. And if they died, I would have felt the weight of their death of my shoulders because I had the power to do something....but didn't.
Sound dramatic?
It does, I know.
But I can't help it. Like I said, I wish I could let it go. I wish I could....especially now. I have zero control so I must sit and watch things crash....and I'll take very little comfort in knowing I couldn't do anything about it.
---
Nobody said it would be easy
Nobody said it would be this hard
-The Scientist, Coldplay
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
the rush is over
I must say, Christmas came and went in a flash this year. I hardly feel like I experienced it. I can't really say why....I guess the holidays just move really fast when you're and adult. When I was a kid.....goodness, Christmas Eve seemed like it would never happen.
But I must have been a good girl this year....got very nice gifts.
I spent a good part of Christmas Day and yesterday watching season 1 of Veronica Mars. It's filmed here in San Diego and they filmed part of an episode outside my office building, so I watched the night it was on just to see the office building in the background. Woo. But anyway, truns out it was kind of interesting so I watched it again....and again....and now I'm hooked. So I had to get season 1 and season 2 to chatch up on what happened in the past.
I'm not ashamed to say I watch a teenager show. To be honest, I think I am vicariously reliving my teenage years thru Veronica. Mine (early teen years) were so damn pathetic and hers are really interesting. So I'm only 39 in years....not spirit.
Well, back to work now. The campus is supposed to be on closed (except for my department, of course) and still there are 20 things to do :(
But I must have been a good girl this year....got very nice gifts.
I spent a good part of Christmas Day and yesterday watching season 1 of Veronica Mars. It's filmed here in San Diego and they filmed part of an episode outside my office building, so I watched the night it was on just to see the office building in the background. Woo. But anyway, truns out it was kind of interesting so I watched it again....and again....and now I'm hooked. So I had to get season 1 and season 2 to chatch up on what happened in the past.
I'm not ashamed to say I watch a teenager show. To be honest, I think I am vicariously reliving my teenage years thru Veronica. Mine (early teen years) were so damn pathetic and hers are really interesting. So I'm only 39 in years....not spirit.
Well, back to work now. The campus is supposed to be on closed (except for my department, of course) and still there are 20 things to do :(
Monday, December 25, 2006
merriest of christmases to all
we went to the beach on christmas eve and this sand art is a collaboration between greg and myself ;-)
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Recipe File
Even if you don't think you like eggnog, try these. They are delicious!
I eat them plain, but they are just as good with syrup.
Spiced Eggnog Pancakes
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups eggnog
1/4 cup oil
1. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
2. In a second bowl, combine wet ingredients.
3. Stir eggnog mixture into the flour mixture until slightly lumpy.
4. Heat a greased skillet over medium heat.
5. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto skillet. Flip when tops are bubbly and edges are slightly dry (1-2 minutes per side).
I eat them plain, but they are just as good with syrup.
I eat them plain, but they are just as good with syrup.
Spiced Eggnog Pancakes
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups eggnog
1/4 cup oil
1. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
2. In a second bowl, combine wet ingredients.
3. Stir eggnog mixture into the flour mixture until slightly lumpy.
4. Heat a greased skillet over medium heat.
5. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto skillet. Flip when tops are bubbly and edges are slightly dry (1-2 minutes per side).
I eat them plain, but they are just as good with syrup.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Weekend Report
Chargers 12-2!
Man. Could they be going to the Super Bowl? I try not to let myself think about that. They have not been Super Bowl ready in a looong time and I just hate to have my hopes crushed. But it's hard when everyone on TV is saying they are good enough to go. I'm trying to just it one game at a time. But they are 12-2. And the two they lost were both last minute and they actually played well in those games. I wonder if it could happen for them......I wonder.
Baked cookies Saturday night and Laura Jr. assisted. Tho she didn't eat any....not sure why. The chocolate chips were kinda old, so perhaps she had the crazy notion she'd fall over dead if she ate them. *shrugs*
Sunday I slept almost all day except during the game. Feels good to have those days now and then.....long cat naps on the sofa. It was pretty cold all day, so Suzie snuggled with me most of the day.
Mailed my Christmas cards.
Took a few pictures.
That was it pretty much.
Man. Could they be going to the Super Bowl? I try not to let myself think about that. They have not been Super Bowl ready in a looong time and I just hate to have my hopes crushed. But it's hard when everyone on TV is saying they are good enough to go. I'm trying to just it one game at a time. But they are 12-2. And the two they lost were both last minute and they actually played well in those games. I wonder if it could happen for them......I wonder.
Baked cookies Saturday night and Laura Jr. assisted. Tho she didn't eat any....not sure why. The chocolate chips were kinda old, so perhaps she had the crazy notion she'd fall over dead if she ate them. *shrugs*
Sunday I slept almost all day except during the game. Feels good to have those days now and then.....long cat naps on the sofa. It was pretty cold all day, so Suzie snuggled with me most of the day.
Mailed my Christmas cards.
Took a few pictures.
That was it pretty much.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Scared of Santa
You have to check out these pictures of kids with Santa. Too funny.
Click on Kids scared of Santa! on the right side of the page and click through each picture.
Click on Kids scared of Santa! on the right side of the page and click through each picture.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Things That Bug Me
I considered not posting about this because it makes me sound like an intolerant crabby old woman. But then I realized, I am an intolerant crabby old woman, so I might as well post! *chuckles*
Okay, so the slurping by my cubemate has never ceased....errrr. See my entry dated July 18, 2006 for the history on this. I have big issues with people who chomp, crunch, slrup their food loudly. This is my Dad's fault. I've turned into him. He would not tolerate this sort of thing from his kids so none of us eat loudly.....or at least I don't. He also had a thing about dripping faucets....so now I have that, too. A dripping faucet makes me crazy.
Happy and helpful store employees. I can hardly stand to go into Victoria's Secret anymore. Those sales girls are on you in a flash asking if they can help you. Now, maybe it's just me, but when I shop for the things Victoria's Secret sells, I don't want any help. I can pick out my own bra and panties, thank you. And I don't care to be measured to make sure I'm buying the correct size.....in front of the whole store!
side note.....cubemate just opened another piece of candy and the slurping continues.
People who get too close to you. I was in line at the bookstore the other day and I could feel the girl standing behind me. She was so dang close to me that her elbow knocked me when she was riffling throuh her purse.
Oh Lord.....I think someone in here just passed gas!! Gas and slurping!!!
Alright, back to the woman standing too close. The first time she knocked me, I just let it go. We all accidently bump people. The second time....the intolerant crabby old woman in me was in full force. I can give a look that can kill, and she got that look. I didn't even need to say a word....the look did it. She backed off....for about a minute. When she finally found her cell phone, she called someone and started making dinner plans.....about 10 inches from the back of my head. Errr.
People who plow down a residential street at top speed with the engine roaring so loud I can't hear the TV. Intolerant crabby old woman activates instantly when this happens. One of these days, they are going to run over a kid or a dog. Of all the things, this one gets to me the most because it boils down to pure stupidity.
I'll leave it at that. Gotta get some fresh air.
Okay, so the slurping by my cubemate has never ceased....errrr. See my entry dated July 18, 2006 for the history on this. I have big issues with people who chomp, crunch, slrup their food loudly. This is my Dad's fault. I've turned into him. He would not tolerate this sort of thing from his kids so none of us eat loudly.....or at least I don't. He also had a thing about dripping faucets....so now I have that, too. A dripping faucet makes me crazy.
Happy and helpful store employees. I can hardly stand to go into Victoria's Secret anymore. Those sales girls are on you in a flash asking if they can help you. Now, maybe it's just me, but when I shop for the things Victoria's Secret sells, I don't want any help. I can pick out my own bra and panties, thank you. And I don't care to be measured to make sure I'm buying the correct size.....in front of the whole store!
side note.....cubemate just opened another piece of candy and the slurping continues.
People who get too close to you. I was in line at the bookstore the other day and I could feel the girl standing behind me. She was so dang close to me that her elbow knocked me when she was riffling throuh her purse.
Oh Lord.....I think someone in here just passed gas!! Gas and slurping!!!
Alright, back to the woman standing too close. The first time she knocked me, I just let it go. We all accidently bump people. The second time....the intolerant crabby old woman in me was in full force. I can give a look that can kill, and she got that look. I didn't even need to say a word....the look did it. She backed off....for about a minute. When she finally found her cell phone, she called someone and started making dinner plans.....about 10 inches from the back of my head. Errr.
People who plow down a residential street at top speed with the engine roaring so loud I can't hear the TV. Intolerant crabby old woman activates instantly when this happens. One of these days, they are going to run over a kid or a dog. Of all the things, this one gets to me the most because it boils down to pure stupidity.
I'll leave it at that. Gotta get some fresh air.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Weekend Report
AFC WESTERN DIVISION CHAMPS!
You had to know it was coming :) And LaDainian Tomlinson....a true Super Charger. Not only is he an amazing player, but an amazing person as well. These quotes from the linked article above:
"I had the chills there almost before the play, waiting around," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "It was that special looking at the stadium. There wasn't one person sitting down. It was just that magical feeling out there in the huddle. The linemen were excited. I tried to get L.T. to show some emotion but you know him, he wouldn't."
"He came into the huddle and said, 'I want all of you guys to join me in the end zone when I get it,' " right tackle Shane Olivea said.
"He is a king and he should be treated like one," left guard Kris Dielman said. "That is what a king gets."
Said fullback Lorenzo Neal: "I think he will go down in history as the best."
"I believe he is the finest running back to ever wear an NFL uniform." - Coach Marty Schottenheimer
---
Other than watching the Charger game, I took a few pictures this weekend:
For some reason I have not had my camera out very much lately. If the weather holds up, I'm going to try for a sunset picture this weekend.
Also worked on my Christmas cards and should have them finished tonight. Oh, and wrapped gifts!
All in all, a great weekend.
You had to know it was coming :) And LaDainian Tomlinson....a true Super Charger. Not only is he an amazing player, but an amazing person as well. These quotes from the linked article above:
"I had the chills there almost before the play, waiting around," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "It was that special looking at the stadium. There wasn't one person sitting down. It was just that magical feeling out there in the huddle. The linemen were excited. I tried to get L.T. to show some emotion but you know him, he wouldn't."
"He came into the huddle and said, 'I want all of you guys to join me in the end zone when I get it,' " right tackle Shane Olivea said.
"He is a king and he should be treated like one," left guard Kris Dielman said. "That is what a king gets."
Said fullback Lorenzo Neal: "I think he will go down in history as the best."
"I believe he is the finest running back to ever wear an NFL uniform." - Coach Marty Schottenheimer
---
Other than watching the Charger game, I took a few pictures this weekend:
For some reason I have not had my camera out very much lately. If the weather holds up, I'm going to try for a sunset picture this weekend.
Also worked on my Christmas cards and should have them finished tonight. Oh, and wrapped gifts!
All in all, a great weekend.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Bloopers!
Happy Thursday! Hope these get you laughing :)
News Bloopers
QVC Blooper
Shop At Home Blooper
More News Bloopers
And another...
News Bloopers
QVC Blooper
Shop At Home Blooper
More News Bloopers
And another...
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Full Moon Fortune
I got a fortune cookie at lunch that says "Luck will find you on the next full moon"
Today happens to be a full moon. So does this mean today is my good luck day or does this appy to the next time there's a full moon? Because so far I am not feeling that lucky. Plus, the day if half gone....
Today happens to be a full moon. So does this mean today is my good luck day or does this appy to the next time there's a full moon? Because so far I am not feeling that lucky. Plus, the day if half gone....
Weekend Report
Chargers are 10-2! Woo!
Friday we got a Christmas tree. It's fake, but I'm just happy we have one. Greg had said no tree this year because he's sure Abby will knock it over and destroy all our ornaments. But for whatever reason, he changed his mind and we got one. It's really tall...the top branch is just about an inch from the ceiling. I'll take pictures of it at some point. No ornaments yet...we're waiting for Abby to get all her investigating done before the ornaments are on. But are cats ever really done investigating? Humm.
Saturday we didn't really do much. Strung lights on the tree and then sat in the dark with just the tree lit eating Greg's homemade chili. Then we watched 40 Year Old Virgin. Pretty funny movie.
Sunday I had to go to a baby shower for my boss. I was less than thrilled to go....as you can imagine. I don't know why I do things I don't want to do. The two other ladies I work with also RSVP'ed that they were going and never showed up. I should have just said I had other plans, but no....I was polite and made an apperance. Had it been during the Charger game, I would have had to pass....priorities, you know :->
Oh, a side note on the phrase "I'll pass". Last night we were watching the Sunday night football game and John Madden and Al Michaels call the Sunday night games now. I just love them. So they are showing some of the stadium food you can get at Mile High stadium...some of which is fried rattle snake. John and Al were talking about this. John said something like: "There isn't too much I won't eat, but I'm going to have to Pasadena on the fried rattle snake".
Get it? Pasadena rather than just pass. I was laughing.....maybe I'm easy to entertain, but I thought that was funny! I really like John Madden. I know some people get annoyed at his tendency to state the obvious, but I just see it as part of his overall appeal. And no one can say those fools on Monday night are better than John and Al....with the exception of Joe Theismann...he's the only worthy one of the three.
Okay, I think that's it for my weekend report!
Friday we got a Christmas tree. It's fake, but I'm just happy we have one. Greg had said no tree this year because he's sure Abby will knock it over and destroy all our ornaments. But for whatever reason, he changed his mind and we got one. It's really tall...the top branch is just about an inch from the ceiling. I'll take pictures of it at some point. No ornaments yet...we're waiting for Abby to get all her investigating done before the ornaments are on. But are cats ever really done investigating? Humm.
Saturday we didn't really do much. Strung lights on the tree and then sat in the dark with just the tree lit eating Greg's homemade chili. Then we watched 40 Year Old Virgin. Pretty funny movie.
Sunday I had to go to a baby shower for my boss. I was less than thrilled to go....as you can imagine. I don't know why I do things I don't want to do. The two other ladies I work with also RSVP'ed that they were going and never showed up. I should have just said I had other plans, but no....I was polite and made an apperance. Had it been during the Charger game, I would have had to pass....priorities, you know :->
Oh, a side note on the phrase "I'll pass". Last night we were watching the Sunday night football game and John Madden and Al Michaels call the Sunday night games now. I just love them. So they are showing some of the stadium food you can get at Mile High stadium...some of which is fried rattle snake. John and Al were talking about this. John said something like: "There isn't too much I won't eat, but I'm going to have to Pasadena on the fried rattle snake".
Get it? Pasadena rather than just pass. I was laughing.....maybe I'm easy to entertain, but I thought that was funny! I really like John Madden. I know some people get annoyed at his tendency to state the obvious, but I just see it as part of his overall appeal. And no one can say those fools on Monday night are better than John and Al....with the exception of Joe Theismann...he's the only worthy one of the three.
Okay, I think that's it for my weekend report!
Friday, December 01, 2006
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One Sweet Bible In the spirit of full disclosure, this is not my idea. I saw it on Pintrest . I’ve made some slight changes from... -
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