Somewhere Over The Rainbow

I should have dated this Saturday March 30, 2013 because that is when I actually wrote it :)


So, tomorrow is Easter and I am over my head with all that I have to prepare for brunch with the family. Next year, I am going out. I don't care how much it costs. I don't even celebrate Easter. But regardless, it should be a good spread and I'll share more tomorrow. Any holiday is a good excuse for family to get together and eat.

My partner and crime, Little S, is as tired as I am writing this post and I'm ready to pass out but there is still more to do.

I did want to share a quick recipe with you before I say goodnight. It was so quick and easy and something my brother in law made that I have since replicated twice this past month. I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter and enjoys their time with family tomorrow.

Sweet Potatoes with Swiss Chard

1 sweet potato, cut into small dice
1 bunch of Swiss or Rainbow Chard (about 6-8 stalks) stems cut into small dice and leaves roughly chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne
Salt to taste

Heat the oil on medium high heat and add the sweet potato. Cook until brown then lower the heat to low and allow the sweet potatoes to cook through, about 15 min. Add the stalks and cook 5 more min. Add the leaves. Season with salt and cayenne. Voila! Goes great with fish or just by itself.

Take Me To The Mediterranean

I have been obsessed with chickpeas lately.  Which is weird, because I generally don't like them, especially in salads.  But I have been using them a lot more in dishes lately.  Anything from Indian dishes like Chana Masala to Mediterranean salads.  Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are nutty and more firm than other beans which adds a nice texture to a chopped salad.  If eating them whole isn't your thing, throw them in a food processor with some lemon and tahini and you're in hummus making business. 

Mediterranean Salad

1 cucumber, seeded and diced
1 handful of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 whole roasted red pepper, chopped
1 can or jar of marinated artichokes, chopped
1/2 cup of feta cheese
1/4 cup of fresh mint leaves, chopped fine
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
4 TBS olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all of the ingredients together and serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour or two first to let the flavors combine.  You can also serve on top of some field greens. 

What is your favorite way to use chickpeas?

Top Ten

I am obviously in a blogging rut.  I'm not sure where this blog should go and keeping up is a job in itself.  However, I am finding myself bored tonight and listening to music which I rarely do anymore.  And I miss it.  I missing staying up late at night listening to old favorites and exploring new stuff.  I am always open for new suggestions to music so feel free to comment on this post.

Maybe this list will give you a better idea of what I like to listen to.  I listen to all sorts of things, but I tend to stay weird, dark and dreamy with the occasional up beat fun stuff.

1.  Radiohead-Paranoid Android.  I love anything Radiohead and I find it quite fitting that I put this first.  I could also list several other songs in this number one spot including The National Anthem, You and Whose Army, Talk Show Host, etc.  But I will stick with Paranoid Android as it is probably one of my all time favorite songs.

2.  The Cars-Just What I Needed.  The music in this song gives me chills.  The lead singer also reminds me of a total creeper and I kinda like it.

3.  Pink Floyd-Goodbye Blue Sky and the rest of The Wall Album-I get so emotionally vested in this album.  Pink Floyd is another favorite of mine and I just get completely sucked in.  This song in particular is so haunting to me and I can listen over and over.

4. Midlake-We Gathered in Spring and Van Occupanther-This is a beautiful band.  These two songs in particular are my favorites on their The Trials of Van Occupanther album.  They really got me out of a deep funk I was in a while back.  Sad but true.

5.  Arcade Fire-Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)-This is such a powerful song as are many of their other songs.  I can't get enough of this band and I can't wait until I see them live.

6. Kavinsky-Nightcall.  Dark, creepy, and makes you want to do bad things.

7.  Black Sabbath-Hand of Doom.  This is just a bad ass song.  Plain and simple.

8.  The Doors-The Soft Parade.  This is like 3 songs in one.  And the lyrics are fantastic.

9.  Death Cab For Cutie-I could sing this one for days.  The album We Have The Facts and We're Voting Yes is raw and emotional.  I always find so much truth in their lyrics.

10.  Modest Mouse-Bury Me With It.  Some of the best lyrics I've ever heard.

What are some of your favorites?

The Postal Service Live-June 2!

I'll be the grapes fermented,
Bottled and served with the table set in my finest suit
Like a perfect gentlemen
I'll be the fire escape that's bolted to the ancient brick
Where you will sit and contemplate your day

I'll be the waterwings that save you if you start drowning
In an open tab when your judgment's on the brink
I'll be the phonograph that plays your favorite
Albums back as you're lying there drifting off to sleep...
I'll be the platform shoes and undo what heredity's done to you...
You won't have to strain to look into my eyes
I'll be your winter coat buttoned and zipped straight to the throat
With the collar up so you won't catch a cold

I want to take you far from the cynics in this town
And kiss you on the mouth
We'll cut our bodies free from the tethers of this scene,
Start a brand new colony
Where everything will change,
We'll give ourselves new names (identities erased)
The sun will heat the grounds
Under our bare feet in this brand new colony
Everything will change, oOo oOo...

The Postal Service-Brand New Colony