I am topic-less. So. Once again, a Friday Five!
1. Pregnancy update. I can feel the baby move now, and I’m getting BIGGER and BIGGER. I see the size as a mixed blessing. On one hand, being humongous has never appealed to me, and already I’m having an awkward time trying to give myself more room to slide sideways through the sliding glass door while keeping a ready foot for Clarkie in case she tries to make a break for it. Also on that same hand, I’ve started grunting every time I bend to pick something up, try to zip my non-maternity jeans, or tie my shoes. Or roll over in bed. On the other hand, at least now I am starting to look pregnant and not just overweight. Status of belly button (because this is important): it’s still an Innie.
2. Because I entered a past manuscript we shall never speak of again in the Amazon Breakout Novel contest a couple of years ago, I had a free proof copy from Createspace (Amazon’s self-publisher). So I uploaded a recent draft of le manuscript and made my manuscript into a BOOK! Not only is it nifty seeing it in book form, with a cover & everything (even an ISBN, which is pointless, if you ask me, because this copy isn’t going anywhere), but my printer’s broken and so this saved me from imposing on friends and/or shelling out dinero to get my printer fixed.
3. Husband will no longer be nicknamed “Husband” on this blog. For awhile now, I’ve been calling him “Homes.” As in, “True dat, Homes,” and “I don’t think so, Homes.” I am not sure where this came from, but it has stuck. Sometimes I picture the word as “Holmes” in my head, giving him a Sherlockian air. Does this make me Watson? I did read an essay once, an argument that Watson was actually a woman, so I guess it could work.
4. I cooked! Our CSA box has been heavy on the leafy greens lately. Other than salad, I don’t know what to do with these things. So I actually put forth the effort required to A) look up recipes and B) buy ingredients and C) try not to hyperventilate while operating the stove. Result: Hot Wok Bok Choy (say that five times fast) last week, and Collard Greens Sauteed with Garlic this week. And baked potatoes. I’d never baked a potato in my life. Decided to consult multiple sources – Homes, my mom, and the Better Homes cook book. I don’t know what potato out there can finish baking in 40 minutes, but it wasn’t mine, so we had dinner late that night.
5. Enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast put on by Z’s preschool class today. The kids even had cute little placemats and napkin rings they’d made. Food was delicious; I could have easily eaten six plates full. Should have gone back for more mashed potatoes and roast potatoes. There is something about the Glorious Potato right now that has me wanting them. All the time. That and loaves of soft Pugliese bread from the Nugget and tubs of hummus. If I don’t stop rhapsodizing about food now, I don’t think I ever will. So. The end.
I won’t be updating the blog next week, so have a great Thanksgiving! I hope your car rides are shorter than mine!
Beth Hull 
Hooray for you cooking! Especially since usually cooking for you is usually, “I made a grilled cheese sammich.” It looks quite pretty.
Mmm. Grilled cheese sounds kinda good right now. Thanks for bringing that up, readingisdelicious.
Yes, the bok choy was beautiful! Tasted good, too, although one really can’t go wrong with shoyu. (Why do I feel like such a poser when I say “shoyu” instead of soy sauce? You say shoyu all the time, so does another of my friends…why can’t I?)
I don’t care if you say shoyu. It’s what it is!
Thank you! Since I have your approval, I will stop feeling like an imposter.
SHOYU SHOYU SHOYU.
The bok choy looks beautiful! Sometime, in place of shoyu (yumm), try Pineapple Sake Teriyaki Marinade (by Earth & Vine and also at Nugget). It’s a lovely combination of shoyu, pineapple, apricot puree, sake and garlic. Double yumm!
Congratulations on your cooking! Personally I’m giving up cooking for Lent. Ooops, not Lent you say? Okay, then for Thanksgiving.
Pat, I will definitely look into the Pineapple Sake etc. It does sound delicious!
If I ever cook again. Just kidding. Tonight I cooked again – started the sausage for Homes (I’d never cooked sausage before, either, and forgot to poke holes in them. When Homes poked a hole, a geyser of hot greasy nastiness squirted out. Oops). Also finished up the collard greens by repeating the garlic sautee (with tons of extra parmesan cheese – can’t go wrong with extra cheese).
I cannot tell you how shocked I was to see that picture! I actually had to double-check that I was reading the right blog 🙂 Good for you, Beth!
Thanks, Megan! Glad I could surprise you…I know it surprised me. And Homes.
Never cooked bok choy before – was it yummy? I rarely make a whole russet potatoe because they take forever! My MIL wraps them in plastic wrap & they do cook a lot quicker in a microwave, but I stick with red potatoes. Just as yummy & sooo much quicker.
Yes, the bok choy was delicious! I made it again the other night. Important: serve it immediately. Not so good after it’s been sitting (while you wait for stubborn potatoes to finish baking – grrr). Yes, might use the red potatoes next time.