I guess I still have a blog....

Hmmm. Still have a blog out there in cyber-land. Is it even called that anymore? Sigh - I am super old school I suppose :).
Still baking/made a yummy quiche last night and I'm scheduled to make a chocolate strawberry dream pie tonight. Lots of recipes still to try, but lots that I have tried but not documented like: chipotle brownies, dutch apple pie, a few vegan cupcakes from my cookbook Vegan Cupcakes Take over the World, among others. I can't even remember, but I'm sure my esteemed husband can. Perhaps I will get back into this blogging thing, especially with the impending arrival of a new Quigley to the bunch (look out for him/her around July 22nd!). Or maybe I'll just have a blog all about my many cravings (don't get me started.....all food just sounds yummy. don't worry - I refrain most of the time :).
Anyways, I'll change up the layout soon and maybe even link twitter, change the picture, etc. Just need to figure out HOW to do all that. For now, enjoy your Tuesday and perhaps like me, you will whimsically look forward to the sunny weather forecasted for this weekend. And a break all next week from the work! Except I have too many projects planned, so I may need help making myself relax.

Chocolate cookies for Monday

I made these cookies a few weeks ago from a recipe I found on Orangette because I love chocolate and because they seemed intriguing. While making the recipe, the dough was pretty tough and dry, so I thought these would never work. First time trying a recipe is always an adventure and the result did not totally look like what was on her site, but they tasted delish and smelled yummy as well! Here is the picture for proof:

I haven't been baking as much lately because I've been tired and trying to not eat as many sweets. More so the tiredness though :). I did make a kick-ass rice, sausage and zucchini combo from the newest Rachael Ray magazine that I could probably eat every day and not get sick of it. It was that good! However, I did not take any pictures so you will have to imagine its yumminess. Have a fabulous Monday and congrats to my friend Melissa who had a baby last night, Chase. It's getting to be quite the club, the friends who have kids club. Good luck and best wishes to her, Brian and new baby Chase.

Making a difference on the small scale

In all the discussion in the news media about the Obama administration and the new direction it is taking, I am fascinated by the people he has assembled behind the scenes. Now this may be "the West Wing" nerd in me finally being released and trying to find a counterpart to my favorite characters, but some of the people feel more representative of my generation which is exciting for someone who wants to become more interested in politics. Now I will not state my political beliefs or anything like that, but I just wanted to share a bit about the new speechwriter on board: Jon Favreau.


I just read an article today on the Boston Globe website: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/12/21/the_speechwriter_in_chief/ and I am impressed. He's a year younger than I am and just sounds like a guy you would want to be friends with, while at the same time writing brilliant text about the future of our country. In this article, it wasn't necessarily the political side that intrigued me (though the bit about giving Kerry a line during the convention was interesting), rather it was his graduation speech as valedictorian from Holy Cross College. In it he said to his classmates, "Here's some of what we need. Soccer coaches, den mothers, PTA members, neighbors who help you move in and promise to keep in touch when they move you out, friends who come early and stay late, shoulders to cry on, big brothers and sisters, family comedians, T-ball umpires, letter-to-the-editor authors, voters who care about any issue from traffic lights and tax reform to potholes and peace on earth, organizers and activists, critics and supporters, voices for those who are having trouble getting theirs heard, summertime porch-sitters with special degrees in talking about everything and nothing until the mosquitoes bite, mentors, philanthropists, signature collectors, boo-boo fixers, grocers to the hungry, roofers to the homeless, and believers -- especially believers." Not to wax too poetic, but these words really speak to me. In an economy that keeps getting more grim and in a society where we are becoming increasingly more disconnected, especially as we become more connected to social networking via the Internet and communicating more and more through sites like Facebook and whatnot, I fear that we will not be able to live up to those simple goals Favreau mentions. I adore simplicity and the romance of community, and wish I could be closer to my friends and family. I wish that I had people who lived closer to me that I could sit on the porch with and "shoot the shit" and I wish that I volunteered more. One silver lining out of this economic crisis from the cynic in me is that now we have to embrace simplicity, be creative in our endeavors and really try to connect to one another on homespun levels. More potlucks and game nights and park encounters and just sitting, enjoying the breeze and good company of dedicated folk.



So my question is to anyone reading: want to come over and savor some of the simple, small wonders of life?

What happens in the Quigley house....

Here's what happens when Lola eats slippers and I don't clean it up:

Okay, so that's not "totally" true just so you all don't go call the authorities and get mad. Lola was just so cute sitting in her kennel a few weeks ago and I climbed in to pet her. Then of course I wondered if I could fit and lo and behold - I could! Perhaps we need more evening activities...

Anyways, another picture to captivate you! As I mentioned last post, we took Lola to Cannon Beach this weekend and the verdict was success. The look of unadulterated joy on her puppy face, so full of sand and slobber because there were so many birds to chase, so many new friends to sniff and chase, and so much to smell was something else. Lola gets this look on her face like she's drunk when she gets to run like a mad-dog that's just precious. Even though it was cloudy and rainy, it was nice to see/hear/feel the ocean and smell that invigorating salty air.

Enjoy the light snow in Portland and the weather wherever you are! xoxo

Monday Monday

No cooking posts today - didn't really do much baking last week. I did attempt to make risotto which had great taste with chorizo and peas, but just wasn't soft enough. I have heard that making risotto is difficult and it took forever. Not one I will probably do again. This weekend we make scallops with linguini and vodka sauce - thanks TJs! I want to try to make something tonight, but still need to figure out what. A bit of a busy week at school and after school so that is exciting. Sometimes I do better when I have plans in the afternoon.
Ahh, so nice to hear Allison Janney's voice on the radio, even if it is a Kaiser Permanente commerical. I miss my CJ - thank goodness I can watch her whenever I want to on DVD.
Took Lola to the coast yesterday and she was in love: running around trying to catch the birds, meeting other doggies, eating sand, and running with us. She was dog tired yesterday though so now we have to keep up with exercising her this week. Wish me luck! I will have to post the beach picture and the other funny picture - will try to do that tonight when I get home!

Cookie Pie!

The cooking adventures continue...for my friend Sarah's S'more party last week I wanted to make something but couldn't think of anything. Then, after seeing a recipe yet again on bread and honey (I should start paying them..), I thought that chocolate chip cookies would be yummy with marshmallow or just plain. And pie is always good, so I grabbed a recipe, placed it in a pie dish:

It was fun to mostly use my experience with baking - a little of this, a little of that, add some cinnamon, more chocolate chips. Plus, who doesn't love chocolate chip cookie bars? Everyone at the party loved it too, so much so that all that was left was:

Enjoy your Monday - I'll be dreaming of what else I can make tonight!

donut muffins

I read about these muffins on another blog, called bread and honey, and thought, those sound delish. Love donuts, love muffins, the perfect combination. Plus I know some co-workers and husbands who are willing to try it out. (The lovely picture on the left courtesy of JQPhoto).I used nonfat milk instead of whole, and skipped the coating in butter, just dusting the top with powdered sugar. The result? A yummy, lighter but hearty muffin that tasted surprisingly like a donut. Mmm, put some icing on and some multi-colored jimmies and I'll be set! Definitely a keeper! Follow the link above for the recipe.

will write more soon!

It's been an up and down January, from finishing finals at school and starting a new semester to getting over sickness and trying to gain back the energy I lost from sickness. Also the weather has been freakishly cold lately which hasn't been ideal for getting outside and exercising.
Yet, I am working on changing the blog a bit and offering my exploration into cooking and baking more yummy dishes - primarly sharing my experiences and trying my hand at a bit of food photography (thanks JQ!). However, I need to learn a bit more html to make a site I'm proud of and want to share.
Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday and stay warm! I know I'm dreaming of 60 degree weather....

still snowed in!

The answer to the last blog's post is no, I did not go back to school and teach. Guess that will be part of the new year's resolutions...go back to teaching :). It's Sunday, 2nd day of real Christmas break. And we're a bit snowed in with about 8 inches of snow and a frozen layer of ice on top. Lola is so happy; she pounces on the snow, breaks through the top layer, and smooshes her face into the snow underneath. It's like watching polar bears fish. Except she's just playing...I think.
I'm a little stir crazy though and happy that we have cookies to make. That's the highlight of my day - making cookies! Maybe people will come over, maybe they won't, but hey, I'll have sugar.
We're trying to get the house clean in hopes of taking an adventure downtown today to see the city covered in snow. Wish us luck and hope you have fun on this last Sunday before Christmas.

the big question

...whether I will go back to school in 2008?! Been home for the past two days for snow days (and Kelly, please laugh - these people are ridick! it sickens me a bit that we can't take the bus places or drive in snow. not that I am driving, but I know enough to not drive and take the bus) and it looks like there is a wild storm coming in for tonight into even Thursday. The weather folk, who are so giddy with their correct forecast on Sunday that I think are getting a bit big in their britches, are saying tomorrow is going to be "wild". So it's just me, a Christmas tree (see left), a cooped up dog who looooovvvveeesss the snow and likes to pull people along, and some reading and christmas card writing/package wrapping. And a boy who still has to go to work. Sadly, I would be okay going to work because we have off next week....and I feel bad that Jason has to go to work while I relax at home. At least no one has to let Lola out :).
But hey, we're going out tonight to eat some chicken chili ole and drink beer and have fun. Because I at least don't have to be at work until 10am. And I might as well drink. Hope you are warm and happy where you are and I bet that I beat you for most pieces of clothing worn to bed last night!

Sweater December

One of my co-workers is participating in something he made up called "sweater december". Now I already wear a lot of sweaters, so I have been a faithful participant already, but I just love themed months. Nothing gets you through the workday like kooky ideas, potlucks, meeting people for coffee in the outside world (believe me, for teachers - that is AMAZING. people work out there - adults! you can go purchase things and people are living....thanks Jason for meeting me today :).
Part of me is excited for sweaters and such because I love being cozy. And watching movies and drinking hot drinks. And being lazy, but in a holiday themed way. I hate how December seems to sneak away from you in the rush of buy this, decorate this, watch this, get this done, ugh. I wish for all of you to enjoy this sweater time of year and embrace whatever comes your way; for sure I will be striving for that is well.

Gimme a cheap commercial any day...

While I was reading the Mercury blog today, I stumbled upon a post that totally brought back me back. You should totally check it out:
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2008/12/01/crazy_gideon_you_are_ka_raaaa
What's funny is that these commercials are all over the place in SoCal. And my dad actually gave my cousin money one time to buy two tvs from this man. I think he gave him like 500 dollars in cash to get two 36 inch tvs. That TV has long since passed, but Crazy Gideon lives on. I love that guy. All I need now is to see Paul's big screen tvs whose catch phrase is: "I am the King". Ahh, I love cheap commercials.

December already?

Hello again! Started thinking about my sad state of blog affairs and decided to post some new entries - in the last year there have been lots of changes and lots of sameses - primarily we bought a house, welcomed a furry friend into the household (not the mouse we had earlier in the summer!), and generally just lived the life of twenty-somethings in Portland. I've read lots of books, seen lots of movies, and am pleased with the direction of our new government. Overall, with the beginning of a new month and a relaxing weekend of Turkey Day behind me, I'm ready to reclaim back the life I want and I will share that life with ya'll.

I just read a book called The Sharper your Knife, the Less you Cry by Kathleen Flinn about a woman who goes to the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school at age 36 and was definitely enthralled, but also I took away a powerful message: taste, taste, taste. This mantra is something I want to keep close in my life as I try to enjoy my year of being 28 (which sounds crazy old to me).

With that said, Lola (the furry friend who happens to be an almost 6 month old Springer Spaniel) is running in circles and I think wants dinner. Or to get high. Or to eat my hand. Or she's finding ghosts in the dust in the house. She's totally crazy. Have an excellent Monday night and I promise to update more soon.

xoxo MQ

I always hated playing Tag...

but now I'm IT. My friend Carrie just tagged me (ooooh, my very first tag - I feel so blog-like) and I feel the need to respond to the thousands who read this witty drivel. Here are the rules:

1. Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 7 random things, and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 7 people and include their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment and tell them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

And without further ado, my "random facts"
1. When I was 7, I was tested to go in the GATE program at my elementary school. I had to take a test and then see a psychologist to evaluate my smartness. The psychologist held me for 2 hours and said she was testing me with college work. Now at the ripe age of 26 I wonder - where did all my smarts go?
2. Many people know this, but at age 14, I played Trixie True, All-American Teen Girl Detective. Yep. There's even a picture to prove it.
3, On a similar dramatic note, I was never cast in any high school musical because the drama teacher told me I couldn't sing. And yes, I do have a complex of singing in front of other people to this day - only place you will see me belting it out is alone. In the car.
4. Last year, I was addicted to Days of our Lives because it came on when I came home from school. Now I can no longer say that the show has a hold on me....I only watch it occasionally and I can totally turn it off when I have/want to. It was tough, but the 12 steps really helped.
5. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was in 6th grade. Then I wanted to be a English teacher. Then I wanted to be a movie star. And a movie director/producer. Now I think I want to be a patisserie chef or do something creative with writing.
6. I have never dyed my hair any color than what I have now (light brown). I'm probably too chicken or indecisive.......any thoughts on good hair color or any takers to actually do it?
7. When I am tired, it's worse than when I am drunk. Really. I take no control of my actions when I am tired.

Now is the portion of my email when I tag other people I know. I only know a few bloggers, so I tag Kelly, Robbie, and Cassie. Enjoy!

the countdown begins

The sun has returned to the NW and in full force. It's amazing how the sun can make you want to storm the world and be out in nature all day long, but then make you soooo sleepy you need to retreat to the inside and recoup for your next adventure. I'm kinda like that now - school has reached a holding pattern (meaning that I have caught up with 80 percent of my work and all I really have to do in the next four days is finish reading a book I am teaching starting next week - Snow Falling on Cedars......anyone have any lesson plans for this little/400 page ditty?). But never fear, I have tests in all of my classes next week so the stress will return. However I do have to work tomorrow, Saturday, because I am helping out with some service in the morning (ahhh, the Catholic schools and their service requirement. which isn't really a bad thing I think - all staff need to go to one service project a year and I had to miss my last project because of another school related thing, so here I am) AND chaperoning prom in the evening. Full day with about 3 hours of free time inbetween 7am and 11pm. The sucky part of school service - YOU DON'T GET PAID EXTRA. Normal jobs you would, but schools got you when you sign the contract. Which I did for next year, but I don't know what classes I am teaching - only Yearbook so far.
Yet, the weekend looks sunny as well so hopefully Sunday I can be a normal person and enjoy the outside :). Then only FIVE MORE WEEKS till summer. Now starts the most difficult part of the school year.......
On a separate note, I biked to work today! And I didn't fall off. That is a cause for celebration!

ps - sorry about all the caps lock. i'm trying to be chipper on this Friday morning and appear to have more energy than i really have.

the sunday blues

Now I know that I'm not the only one who feels this way (in fact Jason had the blues the worst back when he worked in the office on Mondays - now he's spared), but Sunday just brings such a pit to my stomach and a sadness over my being. I get all antsy, especially after a trying week like last week and wonder if this week will be even worse. I mean, last week wasn't bad, it was just tiring and mentally draining. The kiddos are getting more and more annoying (a word I voiced just on Friday to one especially deserving kid), my brain is slipping farther away, and the weather here is still a tad too dreary for me. I need some rich sun - none of this clouds all day shee-ite.
However, only 6 more weeks of school and then freedom for a little while. I just hope I don't run on empty for the next few weeks. Mental health days, here I come!

p.s. - on a side note, you know what's super fun? seeing a student at a house party up the street from your house. i was just there to see a band jason was photographing. he was smoking on the corner. ahhhh, nothing like seeing students in the 'ol private life.

you know what this Monday needs?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBqPHJhmFHo

Beautiful weekend in Portland. Now if I could get this whole school thing cancelled or just done with. Wish me luck with the grading (or gathering the motivation to grade after school!)

the addiction takes hold

I have a small addiction. I can handle it, but it sometimes prevents me from doing work (like now, when I should be grading thesis papers and regular homework and I totally thought I could do both at the same time, but I cannot). I'm even okay when I am not near it and I can lead a normal life.

I'm addicted to Grey's Anatomy.

I was a new convert last year during the whole Izzie and Denny and Meredith and Derek (because who doesn't love Patrick Dempsey? hubba hubba) storylines and I rapt pretty much this whole season. And then I learned you can watch them online. So I steal away to the Yearbook classroom, watch the show if I missed it and feel blissfully addicted and almost like I am doing something wrong, which I am not because it is my prep period, but I kinda am because I should be doing work.

But man, that show is good! I may be getting sick of the storylines and such, but I am still totally hooked. However, I will not resort to talking about characters and such here because I'm not really concerned about that. I just really like the show. It's entertaining, it lets me escape, and it's pretty well written for a show about what my husband calls, "sexy doctors".

Oh well. I could have worse addictions. And the shows online prevent me from going ballistic if the tape runs out when I set the timer (which happened last night). I never thought I would be one of those, but eh. Whatever makes you happy I guess.

how do you...

cope without sleep? I've been so sleepy lately because of lack of quality and quantity of sleep lately. I already drink coffee occassionally and would not like to be "dependent" on it. Right now it's a tasty treat in the morning or whenever, not usually a perk up method. Any tips for waking up during the day? I am so glad that it is Friday so I can hopefully get some sleep this weekend.

On a side note, we're back in the cat-sitting biz. Last night Annie (Kimberly's other kitty) became our new roommate and bed fellow. :). It should be interesting. We've only done this once before with Cleary's cats and they were so scared, but Annie seems ready to explore and happy to be with people who will pet her. I think it's for the best so she gets some love and isn't alone in her house. Never knew this would be such an intense cat week.....

long time, no write

Picture a warm, rich, sunny day, the kind that drips with happiness and smothers you with the feeling that you could do anything right now. No, I'm not going to turn that all around and say, that is the exact opposite of what I am feeling (but I am getting there with all of this cloudy, chilly weather - be nice spring dammit!). But my other beginning for a blog was a heck of a lot more depressing, so I thought I would put you in a better mindset.

Sad tides in the city of Portland - a lovely, but elderly kitty has passed away from our world and into the happiest of kitty worlds in which kitties get to eat and sleep and purr and do whatever they want - FOREVER. We are taking care of Kimberly's cats, Annie and BJ, while she is visiting her family, and BJ decided to succomb to what I like to call "the big sleepy". He has been showing signs of a bit of failing health lately, but unfortunately, I was the one to find him asleep in his bed and curled up, looking very peaceful. A sad Tuesday for all, because I had to call Kimberly and figure out where to put this peaceful kitty so Annie (the other cat) wasn't too freaked out. Now that was the hardest phone call I've had to make. Thank goodness Jason helped me because I was so sad and a little reminiscient of another "big sleepy" pet story of my childhood. Oh gosh, it was just so sad. I still have the image in my mind......school today was good because it allowed me to throw myself into something else, but I would start thinking about BJ and then get so sad. He's in peace, I know, but it still sucks.

Jason has this awesome picture of BJ from last August when we were staying at Kimberly's house. We were wrapping my brother's wedding gift and the straw from the basket was on the ground. BJ thought, oh yeah, now that's a nice laying place and plopped himself down in the middle of the straw. He was so cute with his round belly and proud expression - he almost looked like a bird laying an egg! That's how I choose to remember BJ. Even though he wasn't my cat, I still knew him and loved him. So go hug your pets tonight (if they'll let you!) and say a prayer or send good thoughts out to Kimberly and BJ.