Dude, I do not saute` Steak...

I've pretty much been in charge of dinner since last Tuesday. Out-of-the-Box Pasta Bake, Pot Roast (Jack slow cooked it), Spaghetti-Meatball-Stroganoff and tonight was steak or chicken (depending on who is eating), baked potatoes and cranberry-orange salad.

Now, I firmly believe that 60+ years of harboring dislike for our poultry feathered ones is a bit much (and sometimes limits the creativity of dinner as a whole). So Dad, still nursing his knee (you know, the one broke last JULY), is basically telling me how to cook his steak.

"Turn it above medium--I want char...black on it!"
"Uhm, the new pans aren't supposed to go above medium."
"What?????"
(yelling)"THE NEW PANS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE TAKEN OVER MEDIUM TEMPERATURE!!!!"
"I don't want it sauteed."

At this point, I laughed. First, unless the said steak is cut up for some other purpose, I have never 'sauteed' his steak. I mean, if he wants char, I'm sure I can either throw it on the oven or stove heating elements...that perfect coil always amazes my dinner companions.

**

Working on the front yard. Two wheelbarrows full of dead decaying leaves removed from just in front of the parentals bedroom. It looks much nicer than it did. Found some amazingly huge earth worms too. At least they are doing their job.

I guess the idea is to get out there and do what I can while the weather is somewhat behaving itself. I learned a long time ago that you cannot wait for the weather in Western Washington: you just have to go for it. Unless it has to do with your hair..then, well, I'm on someone's list for that.

**

I just got some paper and supplies on sale for doing my wedding album. What is bad is that I have a bunch in storage. I figure I need to use what I have then go from there. Probably the best idea. However, being a good sister, I bought some double stuff for Susie since she wants to re-d0 her and Greg's wedding scrap book. I think it is wonderful.

**

Been reading again. Yeah, it may be for young adults, but I have three of four books of the Twilight Saga. I suppose in some way, I want to see what makes this stand out from other types of novels. What makes it so readable? Popular?

My one true observation so far is that Stephanie Meyer reminds me a lot of first 8 to 10 novels of V. C. Andrews back in the 1980's. You know...the one where the brother and sister are locked up in the attic with their twin siblings and sort of get it on? When I am able to pick up the first Twilight book, it reminds me of the first time I read Flowers in the Attic, with the "get shit done so I can find out what happens next." Probably what will save Stephanie Meyer is that V.C. died in 1986 and after the second series (known as the "Heaven" series), a ghost-writer took over the writing duties and still does them to this day. Probably one of the best demonstrations of 'formula' writing that I've seen.

However, while I was purusing a book on the last Tsar of Russia, I came across something I had never heard and was immediately inspired. I guess my muse came back a bit. She hits and misses anymore. I suppose as new life-habits begin, I will probably find the time to be a bit more put together. I swear, at 37, you'd think I'd some viable clue.

Nah....

So, for now, I have to go do my unemployment claim for the week, knock back my Monster Mega Energy that Jack bought me and see if I can turn into some strange semblence of myself.

Scrapbooking Min...