Sundries

[offbalance]

- I'm hoping I'm on the mend. I don't feel exhausted, I just feel kind of...weird. Spaced out and a tiny bit lightheaded. Do not like. Not sure what's up.

+ Is anyone out there a fan of the show/podcast "A Complete Guide to Everything"? Caught some of it the other day and it was pretty damn funny.

+ I figured out how to use the gmail app on my blackberry to check ALL of my gmail accounts without comingling them. I'm more than aware of the fact that this may not be news to anyone but me, but I'm quite excited by it. It's made parts of my life much easier.

+ Thanks to my CSA, I have many pears. I think a Pear Cobbler is in my immediate future. I would make the Pushing Daisies pear gruyere pie, but I don't have the means or equipment to make my own crust (I don't have even a hand mixer. Nor do I have the energy right now. But someday...)

- Dear Yankees, kindly yank your head out of your asses. WTF? And Derek? I. Can't. Even. What the hell, man?

+ So yesterday I met up briefly with airspaniel so that I could pass on S4 of Supernatural on to her for rockradar's perusal. (He's trying to catch up by the premiere. I am in favor of this.) We met near the library, because I had books to return and books to retrieve.

- One of my reserves wasn't on the shelf, so when I brought my other reserve and another book I wanted that they happened to have on the shelf, I asked the librarian about it, nicely, because I figured that perhaps they hadn't had a chance to put it on the shelf, or maybe they were holding it behind the counter (it's the first volume of Scott Pilgrim, which is popular). She starts screaming at me that "if it ain't on the shelf it ain't my damn problem" and muttering that "if somebody take the book, it ain't my damn fault. Why is this my problem?" It was radically different than the service I usually get at the branch of that library - usually everyone is professional and nice. This same woman also yelled at me for the cookbook that was sitting on the shelf of the library, because the computer was having issues checking it out.
Her: "They got this for you from the desk, right?"
Me: No, it was on the shelf.
Her: That can't be. The computer says it wasn't on the shelf.
Me: But it was on the shelf.
Her: No it wasn't.
airspaniel: Uh, I was with her the entire time, and I can assure you that no one helped us, and she just got that book from the shelf.
Her: For real? Hm. Let me see your card. ::swipes card, Checks out book:: Huh.

I just. Really? Where in hell did they find this woman?

- Just what the world needed: Bridalplasty, a show that makes Bridezillas look like Frontline. The only comfort I can take from this is that The Soup will probably have an excellent time with this train wreck. Ugh.

+ TV has been love, lately. Vampire Diaries has been awesome, as has Covert Affairs. Life Unexpected came back swinging, and Gossip Girl has sharpened some of its writing. And remembered that it's best when it's intentionally funny. Boardwalk Empire is Sunday! All good things. :)

- If you are from New York and voted for Carl Palladino in the primary, we're probably going to have words. I can't believe this racist, sexist, mind-blowingly evil bastard actually managed to carry a nomination. I am voting for Cuomo in November only because he's not this guy. ::shudder::

+ Tomorrow is FRIDAY. And despite having a lovely weekend in the country last week, I really have less than nothing planned this weekend. And you know what? That's awesome. I probably need some recovery time.

Comments

[blergeatkitty.livejournal.com]

You don't need a hand mixer to make pie crust. In fact, I think it's better if you don't. When I attempted pear-gruyere pie, I mixed my dough entirely by hand. What you do is use a couple of butter knives to cut the butter up in the dry ingredients, and then when it gets to the consistency described in the recipe, you start moving it around with your hands.

The Kitchn recipe didn't totally wow me though. I think a better filling could be imagined.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

This is the recipe I found

It probably needed more spice - cinnamon almost always improves everything.

(and I don't have a lot of table or counter space, but I suppose I could move things around and make some.)

[blergeatkitty.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's basically identical to the one I tried. I usually do tinker with the spice for most recipes, so I'm not sure that was what was wrong. I think it might have been the port. A different liquor might have made a difference. I am tempted to try poaching some fall fruits with garam masala and brandy this fall.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Let me know when. I'm drooling just thinking about it.

[stacyinthecity.livejournal.com]

I was just going to suggest this.

My Pie Bible cookbook also has this method where you squish it around in a plastic bag. That worked too. I can't remember exactly the technique though.

[katiebea.livejournal.com]

THIS.
plastic bag pie crust action is definitely my choice.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

If either of you have a link to a video or step-by-step instruction how to do it, let me know. I am intrigued.

[firynze.livejournal.com]

I've been spacing out like hell all day. WTF? Are we somehow cosmically synched?

Also, I want pears.

Yikes, psycho librarian is psycho. As is anyone on Bridalplasty. O_o

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Until I met you in person, I was halfway convinced you were some alternative dimension version of me. Jury's still out. ;)

Pears are awesome.

This is true.

[firynze.livejournal.com]

We HAVE been in the same room now, it's true.

Although I might be your evil twin who got all the height.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

I honestly just use Pilsbury frozen pie crusts.

I know it's cheating, but much as I love the crusts I can make, the Pilsbury ones taste just as good and get the job done easier.

Of course, if you're trying to avoid soy or HFCS, that's a different story entirely...

[airspaniel.livejournal.com]

I was about to say... 'Sides, if you use the premade ones, you can't have gruyere cheese baked right in. ^_^

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

'Sides, if you use the premade ones, you can't have gruyere cheese baked right in. ^_^

BRB, DROOLING FOREVER.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Usually I'm 110% in the pre-made pie crust camp, but this is one instance where I think making your own is worthwhile. Because. Yum.

[offbalance.livejournal.com]

Beat me to it! ;)