SUMMONS!!!

In the time I have been a legal adult, I don't think I've ever been summons to serve as a juror.

Last week we got home and I had a very scary looking bit of mail in our box, it was a summons from the court house---OH GOD! I thought. Then I open it to see, oh---it's "just" a jury duty notice. My luck---I'll be picked to sit in on Jury duty.

So now I'm sort of curious---what IS Jury duty like, I'm not sure I know anyone who's actually had to serve---

After filling out their questionnaire which include such amusing questions as to my competency of the English language---which I was tempted to say I don't understand. Or if there's a viable reason---like maybe my boss' could give me a get out of Jury Duty pass, unlikely. I couldn't wait to be told, that $7 was considered "FAIR" for a lost day of wages...in this day and age $7 isn't even enough to buy a combo meal at most fast food joints...

So what do I have to look forward to? Best case scenario, it's NOT a murder trial. Otherwise D and I will be living off ramen-noodles and Dollar menus.

EBAY...our love/hate relationship...

So, just about EVERYONE buys things from EBAY---we find it the easiest way to price shop things and try to find the best deals.

What drives me INSANE are some of the sellers---they'll list THE SAME product several times over and you find, that maybe (in a state of sleepiness) that you inadvertently purchased an item for +$10 to what they ALSO list for $10 less.

This is SO frustrating. I sorted the field by cost, and didn't see it listed, then I check a second time and BAM! it's there. So you start shooting off emails, because really---I don't spend a lot on myself, and REALLY---I need (yes me!) Alicia, the girl---I need steel toed boots, for work.

I work in the field, in construction, on job-sites, and so, I need steel-toed safety boots.
Anyhow, it's been a few hours, no response---because OF COURSE they don't want to sell me boots for less, even if I want to purchase a SECOND pair of boots---which in turn would be more $$$ for them...+D agrees tho, they ARE super hot cyberpunk-like boots. Which at the price I'm getting them is reasonable...

We'll see, I have a 100% positive feedback---and I buy lots of stuff for myself and others online.

American Fusion Comfortfood...

So on days when I'm craving the Asian food, I usually end up with some American Fusion.

One of the big reasons I thought I should blog this and not just register for a cooking site is because I don't really FEEL like writing out directions on how to make EVERYTHING, and sometimes canned works---and sometimes it's a mix of traditionally prepared foods and off the shelf additives.

So here goes.

If you try making this and have never cooked with ground chicken---here are a few tips.

1. Ground chicken, I'm pretty sure is dark meat---which means it's more forgiving if you cook it for long periods of time.
   
2. It's ground---however a VERY soft meat, so you need to let it brown and GENTLY turn it as it's cooking, breaking it up AFTER it's cooked. Otherwise it mashes and doesn't keep it's 'ground form'.
3. It's a low fat meat, so you have to use oil to keep it from sticking to the pan.
   

Cheesy Kimchi Chicken

1/4-1/2 C. Halmoni's (Korean Grandmother's) kimchi juice.
1/2 jar of pesto
1 lb ground chicken
To taste: salt, pepper, garlic, onion (dry spices)
1-2 tbs EVO (extra virgin olive oil)

1 C Quinoa (cooked---if you have a rice cooker, steam at a 1C Quinoa to 2C water)
1/2 cup chilled kimchi
1 package SHARP grated cheddar cheese.

Heat EVO, add chicken and brown.
Add salt, pepper, garlic, and onion to taste (suggestion: 1/2 tsp of salt & pepper, 2-3 tsps garlic and onion)
Then add pesto, coat pieces.
Add kimchi juice.
Let simmer for 15-20 minutes until juices reduce.

Serve over hot quinoa, sprinkle cheddar over meat, garnish with chilled kimchi.

YES SHARP CHEDDAR + KIMCHI = DELISH!!!

A prelude to "What it is.."

So, basically, I got to thinking...there are lots of wonderful things D and I do or somehow are able to pull off, in our small apartment in the Maryland Suburbs. I figured, we could share and somehow either bring information---or amusement to the masses.

We shall see.

We're relatively well established in our little apartment in Maryland, been here for over 2 years and are signed on for at least another 1.5 years.

So until things change, we live like normal Marylanders---renting...venting and generally infuriated about the high cost of living while trying to become property owners...(can't call it home ownership...as many people are reduced to buying condos or town homes at inflated cost.)

We enjoy cooking, carpentry (when weather permits) and gardening...the occasional home-improvement project...which considering the poor workmanship of this place---it is somewhat disastrous.

I'll try and keep the blog somewhat upbeat. :)