Big Houston Shower Pictures

Tortillas

In response to Chandra's suggestion that we add more recipes, I'm going to give the tortilla recipe. Apparently this recipe is very time-sensitive (pay attention to that part of the directions) because they totally flopped at Nikki's shower and Michelle had to run to the store to buy tortillas.

Ingredients:

2 cups All-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder

1 tsp. Salt

2 tsp. Vegetable oil

3/4 cup Warm milk

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, and oil. Slowly add warm milk. Stir until it forms a loose, sticky ball. Knead for 2 minutes on a floured surface until it is firm and soft. Cover with a damp cloth in a bowl for 20 minutes. Roll 8 balls. Don't let them touch. Cover for 10 minutes. Pat into 4" circles on a floured surface and roll out with a rolling pin.

Get a dry iron skillet really hot and do them one at a time for about 30 seconds (or until it puffs.)

For us the trickiest part was figuring out how flat to roll them so they weren't too thin or too thick. They do pretty well for a couple days in a ziplock bag in the fridge if you have leftovers.

I am back to Fort Worth so Thomas will be returning to normal civilization. And big congratulations to him for finishing his Greek III final today, completing all the language requirements for his degree!!!

Day 2, Amy returning tomorrow?

Day 2. Island council voted that cloud and constellation omens suggest that Amy will return tomorrow. Very busy today to prepare for her return. Assigned to tiki torch committee to herald her return. Survived the savages today. Beard longer.

Day 2

Survived Day 1. Dark was the night...and lonely. Day 2. Sun still bright. Almost didn't shave since Amy isn't here. Why do anything if she isn't here. Started island council to manage life without Amy. Almost elected president; lost to palm branch who wouldn't give the conch back when passed it after campaign speeches. Shouldn't have let the birds vote; knew they would favor the branch. Elected secretary instead. Will continue lines on wall, per secretary duties.

Day 1 = lots of lines

Day 1. Hundreds of lines in wall. Probably not good for drywall. Used pile of drywall powder from lines as kindling for fire. Haven't had to use toenail. Speared loaf of cinnamon bread that washed ashore. Spotted constellation that looks like Amy. Other constelations look like jumbles of stars... or Amy; no Van Buren so far. Will sleep alone.

How will day one end?

Day 1, lots of lines, difficult to know the time.  Am going to pursue food for next meal.  Tried to spell "Amy Lane" with smoke signals, but wind turned it into "I'm Lame."  Hope this doesn't divert her return/my rescue.  Finger and toenails getting longer.  Concerned about nightfall.   Not sure if there are savages.  Am I becoming savage?  May sharpen big toe nail to fend off nocturnals (creatures or natives).

Day 1 Continues

Day 1 still.  Lots of lines on the wall.  I managed to gather some lunch.  The birds (CM patio) were approaching for the food...or for me.  Saw a cloud that looked like Amy.  Also saw one that looked like Martin Van Buren.  Not sure if its some kind of omen.  Sun still bright.  Beginning to wonder about next meal.  Beard continues to grow. 

Still Day 1

Day 1.  No sign of Amy.  Sun is bright.  Beginning to become hungry.  Hunger makes doves in photo look tasty.  Beard getting longer. 

Happy opening day of dove season!

I'm so proud of my husband. :)

Curry report

I made the curry yesterday, and it turned out GREAT! I really like this recipe.

I am, though, hoping to make it to an 'ethnic food aisle' sometime on my next trip to Houston. ALL of the HEBs in Waco only have plain "Curry Powder" - there were no other options. =(

I think we should share/distribute recipies more often on here! To help get us started....

here's one of my favorite recipies from last week for quiche.

Pastry
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup shortening
4 to 5 tablespoons cold water

1) Stir together four and salt. Using a pastry blender (I don't have one, so I use a potato masher), cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.

2) Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water of part of the flour mixture; gently toss with fork. Repeat moistening four mixture, using 1 tablespoon o fthe water at a time, until all the four mixture is moistened. Form dough into a ball.

Filling
4 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half, light cream, or milk
1/4 cup sliced green onions (2)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dash ground nutmeg
3/4 cup chopped cooked ham, chicken, or crabmeat (about 3 1/2 ounces)
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and/or Havarti cheese (6 ounces)
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1) Roll out pastry in a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp edge. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of foil. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 4 to 5 more minutes or until pastry is set and dry. Remove from oven. Reduce oven temp to 325.

2) Meanwhile, stir together eggs, half-and-half, green onions, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir in ham. In a small bowl toss together the cheese and four. Add to egg mixture; mix well.

3) Pour egg mixture into hot, baked pastry shell. Bake in 325 oven for 40-45 minutes.

Quiche is a great all-around food. It has plenty of protein to make it filling - it freezes well - it's a great lunch food - and it's CHEAP (especially if you use leftover meat from another meal and plain old milk instead of the creams).

Amy's Still Gone

Day 1.  Amy's still gone.  Have scratched 6 lines in wall.  Not sure how many lines I will have to scratch until she returns.  Making every fifth line diagonal.  Nothing else has happened.

Amy left for Houston

Day 1.  Amy left for Houston for Casey's shower and to hang out with Michelle and Lauren.  Will try to survive.  Will probably scratch lines in the wall to keep time.  Not sure if there is any food on this island.