A Few Thoughts

FIRST:

Yesterday as I was driving home from work, I saw a girl riding her bike. She was wearing a beanie with a hole in it for her ponytail to fit through. My first thought: GROSS. Second thought: GENIUS. But a little still gross.

SECOND:

I had something quippy to share. Now I cannot remember it. Crap. Hopefully I remember it.

UPDATE:
I just remembered my second thought.

I think I got 3 minutes of overtime this week. Those 75 cents are going to feel real good on my paycheck. (yes, I know how much I make per minute. [and how to calculate overtime.])

4 Months!

Chunk-tastic.

This kid recently has started chewing on his bottom lip, and he LOVES to shove his hands into his mouth. Pretty much his hands are almost always in his mouth.

We love him.

Mustard-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

We loved this. Made it twice in the past two weeks. You'll probably love it too.

Got it out of our Grill Book: GRILL MASTER.

We've been trying to grill about once a week. Only one bust so far.

Mustard-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

      2 Pork Tenderloins

      Glaze:

-1 Jar Red Currant Jelly (we used half a jar).

-2 Tbs Dijon, English, or other Spicy Mustard (we just used regular mustard/ I put a little chipotle seasoning in mustard for it).

      Marinade:                                                            

-1/2 Cup Soy Sauce

-1/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

-2 Tbs Dry Sherry (We used apple juice)

-1/2 Teas Garlic Powder

-1/2 Teas Ground Cinnamon

Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl (we just made it in a ziploc bag that we were going to put the pork in). Place the pork in a large ziploc bag and pour in the marinade. Seal the bag closed, squish the marinade around the pork; refrigerate at least 4 hours. Overnight is best. (Ours ended up being in the marinade for 2 nights).

Remove pork from the fridge at least 30 minutes before grilling. Discard the marinade and pat the pork dry. (We did not pat the pork).

To make the glaze, in a saucepan over low heat, combine the jelly and mustard and heat until the jelly melts. Do not stir until just before the jelly has melted. Set aside at room temperature.

Prepare your grill for direct grilling over medium heat. Brush and oil the grill grate.

Place the tenderloins on the grill directly over the fire and cook until nicely grill-marked, 3-4 minutes. Roll them about one-quarter turn, brush the cooked side with the glaze, and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Roll and brush again, then continue in the manner for a total of about 15 minutes for medium. If the glaze begins to burn, move the tenderloins to the edge of the charcoal grill or lower the heat of your gas grill. The pork is ready when it feels fairly firm to the touch, or an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 145*. The internal temperature of the tenderloins will rise a few degrees as they rest.

Transfer the tenderloins to a cutting board, brush one more time with the glaze, and let rest for about 5 minutes. Slice on the diagonal against the grain and arrange the slices on a platter. Brush with any remaining glaze and serve at once!

The World Needs More Della's

FACT.

 

My surrogate grandmother passed away at the beginning of April. (I'm very behind)

She had a really great way of making you know how much she loved you, even if she had just met you. I've known her all my life.

 

I remember staying at her house in Buena Park at one point, for I don't know what, but Danielle and I slept on the floor by her bed and we had borrowed some of her silky nightgowns. Best silky nightgown that ever existed.

 

She was present in every aspect of my life and I already miss her like crazy.

I'm glad that I got to spend time with her recently but I'm sad that Lincoln never got to meet her.

Something to look forward to.

 

[I can't find a picture of me and Della together :( I know that one exists somewhere. I have pictures of me at her house, in front of her house, with her son, at her family ranch, of her with other people at my wedding. But not one of us together! Dangit! MOM!]

 

P.S. She makes amazing treats.

 

Della Brownies

 

Delicious Cakes



Baby Lincoln

Well in case you didn't know, this little man showed up at the end of February.

 

And this is what he looks like today.

We love him. And he loves his daddy.

 

Even though his daddy isn't very good at multitasking.





Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

I actually finished this one, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, at least a month ago. I just been busy. SO, without further ado...

Things I like about HP #5:

- Prof McGonagall's reaction to Prof Umbridge being in her class. Ignoring her, then angry: "Obviously I received it, <Umbridge's note telling McGonagall when she was coming> or I would have asked what you are doing in my classroom, . . ." "I wonder how you expect to gain an idea of my usual teaching methods if you continue to interrupt me? You see, I do not generally permit people to talk when I am talking." She definitely put her in her place as only McGonagall can.

- The stairs that lead up to the girls' dormitory in the Griffindor tower turning into a slide when the boys try to go up. I knew that I had read this at one point! Glad to have found it again. Apparently you can read about it in Hogwarts, A History as well.

- How much Hermione hates and silently mouths off to Umbridge.

- Hermione's line to Ron: "Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have."

- Fred and George!

- Dumbledore's explanation of the blood charm that has protected Harry while he is living at his aunt's house: "But she took you. . . She may have taken you grudgingly, furiously, unwillingly, bitterly, yet still she took you, and in doing so, she sealed the charm I placed upon you. Your mother's sacrifice made the bond of blood the strongest shield I could give you."

- Grawp. And how much Hagrid loves him. And how much Grawp likes Hermione, and that he calls her Hermy.

- J.K. Rowling's description of Tonks: "She looked the youngest there; she had a pale heart-shaped face, dark twinkling eyes, and short spiky hair that was a violent shade of violet."

- Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place and how it gets to be hidden from anyone who doesn't already know it exists.

- Fred and George keeping things and creatures that they find throughout No. 12, Grimmauld Place to use in their Joke Shop creations.

- Dumbledore's wording, attitude, and attitude toward the ministry at Harry's hearing. "Then," said Dumbledore, quietly but clearly, "we must ask ourselves why somebody within the ministry ordered a pair of dementors into that alleyway on the second of August." And the way that he gets the ministry to do what they should have done but really don't want to.

Things I don't like about HP #5:

- Book Luna. Book Luna takes offense in situations that Movie Luna would continue on in her Loony obliviousness.

- Delores Umbridge.

- Percy's letter to Ron about being a Prefect. Smug {badword}.

- Umbridge taking away Quidditch. BOOOOO.

- How rude Umbridge is to Hagrid.

- Delores Umbridge.

- Kreacher.

- Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place and how it is Mrs. Black's house.

- That the members of 'The Order' will not talk about anything about The Order with any of the kids in the house. "'You're too young, you're not in the Order.'"

- Mrs. Weasley, "He's not James, Sirius!"

- Kreacher.

-Delores Umbridge.

- Harry's jealousy of Ron as a Prefect.

- Prefect Hermione against Fred and George's Joke Shop.

-Did I mention Delores Umbridge?

I feel like there were more dislikes, but this was all that I noted as I was reading. (Update: *I found the rest of my dislikes. There were more likes too. You're welcome.) I decided that I would need a short HP intermission after this one, so I will get back to them when I refinish The Hunger Games. But I'm also really busy, it may take a while.

Update:  I forgot to rate this one.
I give year 5 a 5/10. Its not my favorite HP. That's ok.

Much to Say

But first things first! 

HP, that would be you.