Friday, October 21, 2011

Friday Mishmash

While resting my ankle, I read the book Yossarian Slept Here - it's a biography about Joseph Heller, author of Catch-22, written by his daughter.  On the flyleaf it mentioned several famous people who were involved in her parent's lives, and I have to admit to you that I kept waiting for someone named "Yossarian" to show up in the book.  Took me more than half the book to realize that Yossarian must have been a character from Catch-22, which I've (quite obviously) never read.  Talk about a "duh" moment...but I did feel better at the end of the book when the author, Erica Heller, admitted that she's never read her father's most famous book, either.  Still.  I've read most of the classics (at least I THINK I have, haha) so I guess I'll have to get this one from the library soon.  Oh, and the reason why I've read so many books (in the past; now most of my reading is online) is that when you are not a math and science person, you tend to take a lot of English and literature classes.
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Tomorrow is a banner day (and one that I hope my ankle survives with all the walking) - it's Wienerfest, which means that Jeff and I will be going and getting our fill of dachshunds and all their antics, including the always amusing wienerdog races.  They even have "wanna-be-a-wiener" races, which I know Paco would win, but he's just not great around other dogs and I'm afraid instead of running to me, he'd try and take out his opponents.  And yes, we are ashamed to have a sweet dog who sometimes turns into Cujo toward other dogs but short of sending him to live with Cesar's pack, we can't get him to stop this behavior.

After Wienerfest, we are going to the Armadillo Dash kick-off, where we will sign Jeff up for the half marathon for the bargain price of $32.  That is just a ridiculously cheap price for the race!  We literally could walk to the starting line from our house - it's at the same park where I did my outdoor yoga (and where the scary statues are).  I'm going to sign up for the 5K on the assumption that by March 4th I will be more than ready to run 3.1 miles.  Or actually might have run a few races by then(!).
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I have a quick Fashion Friday for you - amazingly, I had reason to get dressed in something other than shorts and a t-shirt!
Note how I matched my lovely ankle boot with my regular boot - I think it worked!

It felt GREAT to put on real clothes.  And why was I getting all dressed up?  To go in for my "rehire" interview at James Avery - I'll be working there once again for the holiday season!  Is it wrong to say that one of the reasons I'm happy to work again is to have a reason to wear my nicer clothes?  Color me shallow, but I've missed my clothes - that was one of the things that I enjoyed as I lost weight - feeling good about what I was wearing (and of course, shopping for clothes that fit my smaller body).  So this will be win-win - I'll make a little money, have fun helping people shop for jewelry, and get to dress up.  Not sure when I'll be starting but hopefully my ankle will not protest my standing up for several hours at a time.
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You cannot escape pumpkin this time of year, although I still get the giggles whenever I see the pumpkin-spiced drinks at Starbucks after a conversation with a certain blogger who questioned putting vegetables in coffee - she was all "what's next, zucchini?"  Anyway I saw that Errign made some pumpkin granola, and then Biz took her recipe and tweaked it, and then Debby and I emailed about it, and I finally got some pumpkin in the house (had to wait for Jeff to come home and grocery shop for me) and made pumpkin granola.  It's pretty subtle in flavoring - I might increase both the pumpkin and spice next time - and it's a bit chewier than my regular granola, but I like it.  Recipe after the pictures, but I wanted to show you how I tried to combat the "brown sugar balls" (that came out wrong but I'm sure Biz is laughing right now) that happen when I normally mix the dry ingredients:
 I tried measuring out the brown sugar and then pushing it through a mesh strainer - in the bottom left picture you can see the delicate brown sugar on top.  It took forever, so I abandoned that idea, but somehow getting it all mushed up in the strainer seemed to eliminate the sugar balls.  Bottom right is the finished product topping some Greek yogurt.  YUM!

Oh, and in the continued spoiling by my mom, she sent me this awesome jelly roll pan for my granola making - it's actually called a "half-sheet" pan and is bigger than my current jelly roll pan:
 The pan is also much heavier - to semi-quote Crocodile Dundee, "now THAT'S a pan!"

Pumpkin Granola
3 C oats
1 C chopped pecans
1/2 C pumpkin
3/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp. salt
2 T canola oil
1/3 C honey
1 C dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Mix first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Stir honey and oil in saucepan over medium-low heat until smooth. Pour honey mixture over oat mixture, toss. Spread on jelly roll pan (line with parchment paper if not nonstick). Bake until golden, stirring every 10 minutes, about 30 minutes - you want it to be brown, but watch the nuts for burning.  Remove from oven and let cool - granola will crisp up.  Break up, toss with dried cranberries, and enjoy! Store in airtight container.

Have a great weekend!

26 comments:

  1. OOOOH YOU HAD ME AT JAMES AVERY.
    Love everything about them including, apparently, their saleswomen :)

    xo

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  2. Great to see you up and about, love the boot!!
    Was just thinking about making some granola....will have to try the recipe.

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  3. The kickass Kohls dress returns!! It looks so cute on you.
    And be heartened: yours still fits. Mine does not.

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  4. Fun to be back at the jewelry store.
    Am I the only person that doesn't like pumpkin? I have tasted pumpkin pie, but have never had a whole piece myself, that is quite a feat!

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  5. Up and about it GREAT!
    Your one boot is made for walking!
    A couple of times of taking it easy,
    Whilst out and about -
    You'll be back to Super Great in no time!
    Cus you already are, really !

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  6. Thanks for sharing the recipe. You look very cute in your dress!

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  7. Yep, definitely laughing about the "balls!"

    I used to be an avid reader too, but like you, there are too many blogs to read! :D

    Happy Friday my friend - and hooray for getting a chance to dress up!

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  8. Das boot is very fashionable! You think they could at least come up with some fashion color boots, you know?

    I have been on a nonfiction kick for a few years now. I need to get back to fiction. I am a voracious reader and often have 3 or 4 books going at once on my nightstand.

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  9. You look great. Only thing? You need to change those toes to purple to go with that dres. I'm with Kristen, how fun that last year's clothes still fit!

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  10. Ashamed as well, I haven't read Catch 22 either.

    So excited you are going to sign up for a race. You're going to work your way back into it and that boot is going to be a distant memory...

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  11. HI there! I have been gone from Bloggerland, but still lovingly taking action towards my own health and wellness. I remember your blog. You inspire! I will be stopping here again. :) Enjoy the weekend - Janelle

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  12. Catch-22 is a rough one. Good luck!

    I love your outfit, return of the boots!

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  13. You are looking mighty fine in your boots. James Avery! Used to shop at the one in West University. I don't think there are any stores in our cow town... Enjoy your weekend!

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  14. That boot is one fine accessory. I love pumpkin anything. I really should share my hub's recipe for his pumpkin enchiladas one of these days...

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  15. Snazzy. Those boots are definitely snazzy - both of them ;)

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  16. I could hardly tell you had that medical boot on. Nice cammo job!

    I hope you will running before March too!

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  17. You look stunning, so great job on matching the boot in your outfit! :)

    Great to hear that you're up and about!

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  18. Nice - posting a recipe! I read Errigns and Biz's recipe and wanted to try it too. :0)

    And you look so cute in that dress - I can dress casual (meaning jeans every day if I want) to work, so I never have to get dressed up. The only issue is that when I do have to go somewhere I don't have anything nice!

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  19. Oops, I guess I got so distracted by someone's clever comment that I forgot to leave my own comment! And no one commented on the most important most exciting news in your post--THE WEINERFEST!!! Must have a blow by blow commentary, along with hundreds of pictures! Who cares if your blog readership plunges for the day. I (and the Queen) will be supremely happy.

    So glad you got your James Avery job back as it seems something you truly enjoy.

    You look so cute in that dress. And I am enjoying the granola too. I think I like your original better. But this is fun.

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  20. So much to comment on. First of all, you look GREAT Shelley. And that boot and the outfit? VERY stylish!! Congrats on the rehire interview, great looking recipe, and WOW...Weinerfest??? What fun. Have a great Friday!!!

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  21. Yum, I wish I'd had pecans around to add into mine. Mine was boring in terms of mix-ins, 'cause I had none!

    Yay for being up and about. I'm so sure you'll be running a 5k by March - remember Blogger Run Day? We could do another :)

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  22. First you look lovely in that dress. Something I would definitely buy myself too. Great that you're going back to work for the season.

    I remember the Weinerfest from last year and this year again I'd wish Bella and I could come too with you.

    I'm 100% positive you will be running that 5K on March 4th! If not I might consider flying to Texas, get you on my back and run it for you with you on my back!

    And ... where's Paco in the fashion pic? Don't tell me you fooled him and he didn't see you were taking a pic.

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  23. You are still looking so fine girl...so sorry I've been away for so long.

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  24. You're boot makes a great accessory for that dress ;-). you look beautiful!
    That granola looks so yummy!

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  25. how was the interview?
    I thought about you all weekend as I never take off my JA ring or bracelet :)

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  26. You are totally rocking that boot!! Looking good!

    Pumpkin granola? Holy yum!!

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