Sassy Black Friend

Gadget insanity continues

Er, yeah. We have a new house problem. We found a set of outlets in the backyard that reach nicely under the deck off our kitchen. So, now that area is the warm weather family room. Cool because it never gets sun, we can say we’re outside but still chill on a sofa like the lazy bums we are.

And thanks to the nice folks at turtle beach, we can play games and whatever without disturbing the neighbors. So far we’ve been able to resist buying a mini fridge, but it’s only a matter of time, I’m sure.

Quick and yummy

Here’s another fun recipe-less recipe. It came about because I had some shrimp I wanted to use, and needed something fast.

Ingredients:

1 lb extra large shrimp (don’t use anything smaller than 21/25s)
4 cloves garlic
2 lemons
1 bunch of scallions
1 pint grape tomatoes
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp coconut oil (optional)
Parsley (to taste)
Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
3 ears of corn (removed from cob – don’t forget to scrape out the extra tastiness – can use frozen)
1 lb pasta (whatever you like is fine – I used linguini)

Directions:

Remove shells and tails from shrimp. Boil shells and tails in a small pot with 2-3 cups of water for at least 30 minutes (I did this ahead of time right when I brought the shrimp home). Once the stock is nice and shrimpy and reduced about 50%, strain it and set aside (can be refrigerated, but get it back to room temp before using).

Combine 1/2 cup of corn kernels, garlic, handful of tomatoes and 3 tbsp olive oil in blender or mini mixer and blitz until smooth.

Boil water for pasta and slice shrimp in half lengthwise and set aside.

Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and chop scallions (separate the white and green).

Sautee 1/2 of the remaining tomatoes, rest of corn and white parts of the scallions in 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of coconut oil until skin of tomatoes is wilted and slightly browned.

Right before putting pasta in (if not fresh, of course), add the tomato garlic mixture and juice of one lemon to the tomatoes and cook on medium/high until bubbling. Add little bits of the shrimp stock to loosen sauce. Cook for 5 or so minutes, keep adding stock as you like (make sure you’re not salting anything – shrimp stock is very briney).

When pasta is almost done, add the shrimp and toss/stir to get the cooked. It should only take 2 minutes or so. Turn off heat and add the rest of the tomatoes, scallions, parsley and juice of other lemon. Drain pasta and toss together with sauce right away.

Yum yum yum. The directions make it sound harder than it is.

That man of mine

As usual, the boyfriend provides much of the entertainment in my life. He’s in total manly organization mode, and is hilarious about it.

We’ve gone to building supply stores three times this week so he can “work on the basement.” So far that means trying to find places to put his new toys. I drew the line at a barcode scanner, though it was pretty fun. There are a lot more uses than I’d thought at first. Maybe for his birthday.

Killed it

Buying copies for everyone I know with kids:

Eep!

Okay, funny story time.

I had to go up to New York City yesterday for a meeting, and had some extra time, so I went out to lunch with the boyfriend’s mother. She’s hilarious and knows every good restaurant in the city, so we had a nice time.

So we’re sitting there, waiting for our food and she’s telling me all the exciting Manhattan accident attorney gossip, and someone she knows comes up to our table. I was sipping my water right when she introduced us, including calling me (accidentally she swears), her daughter.

I started cracking up and spit a mouthful of water into this guy’s face. Seriously, it was like a Three Stooges routine. Full on spit take.

Everyone was nice about it, but I found out this man was a big time judge. And I’m never entering the state of New York again.

OMG, how embarrassing

I’m absolutely mortified. Apparently our dog (who we got last year) isn’t as fixed as his previous owner promised. So unfixed in fact that he’s impregnated another dog. We just found out this weekend and had the owners over. So embarrassing. I hope I never have a son, because sitting in a room with the people whose dog yours has knocked up was terrible.

Luckily, they’re awesome people and were very understanding about the whole thing. I’ve put the boyfriend in charge of taking our horny pooch to our vet to er, finish the job. Let me tell you, I am way too young to be a grandmother, even of puppies. But they’re coming. On the bright side, I walked Corey (remember, we didn’t name him) over to the other dog’s house this morning and they played together a bit. So, at least they’re staying friendly for the puppies. We may have to set up play dates, no dog of mine is going to be a deadbeat dad.

Also … cute puppies coming soon.