Back from Austin

Not much of a Monday post today. I just got back from a long weekend house-hunting in Austin with my mom. I am still pretty wiped and wayyy backed up with work and life.

The trip was of the “business” ilk and extremely busy and overwhelming, but it was ultimately quite productive. In addition, during the times I wasn’t stressing about finding a place to live, I had an absolute blast with my mom!

Here we are before dinner on our last night:

 

When we got dressed that morning we looked at each other and busted out laughing…completely unplanned!

I’ll recap you later – happy Monday!

Jam of the day: Ryan Adams “To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)”

Dear Mom

Thank you for your ears. They have heard so much more than anyone else in my life. Around you this tiny turtle comes out of her shell.

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Thank you for letting me take a different path, and trusting that I would find my way.

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Thank you for teaching me how to manage my finances, how to do laundry, how to compose a professional email – basically how to be an adult.

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Thank you for letting me fall down and so I could learn how to get up on my own.

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Thank you for always letting me know that I am deserving of love, in spite of what I may believe at times.

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Thank you for teaching me how to care for myself. I have a long way to go, but you are my role model.

Happy Mother’s Day, mom.

Jam of the day: Glen Hansard “Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting”

Songs I am loving

I was going to put together a playlist for today, but I had trouble finding a cohesive theme to the songs I am currently digging. Instead, I am sharing them here in free-form! I have also provided YouTube links (you’re welcome).

David Bowie “Changes” – a classic! Yet I only enjoy this song on warm spring days. I am obsessed for two weeks out of the year and then it is over (Bowie, however, I love for all 365/366 days).

Divine Fits “Like Ice Cream” - in the mood for summer now!

Matt Pond “Love To Get Used” – personally I just think this is a great catchy number, but someone told me the other day that this song significantly changed their life which was really cool. I am listening to it a lot more closely now.

Grupo Fantasma “La Conozco” - a bit of a departure for me…Latin funk! They are from Austin and they are coming to Pittsburgh next month, so I think it’s meant to be.

Lord Huron “She Lit A Fire” - obsessed.

The James Hunter Six “Minute By Minute” - I just had to get some R&B in here.

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What are you listening to right now?

Jam of the day: Lord Huron “She Lit a Fire”

Cookin’ some buffalo

Over the last month I have been experimenting with an alternative protein source (to me) and I thought I’d share.

Hey, Buffalo!

I have tried bison once or twice back when I was a server, and I remember it being incredibly tender and flavorful for such a lean meat. The co-op that I frequent started carrying bison from a local farm, and I decided to try cooking it myself.

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Bison chili (+ blue corn tortilla chips from Reyna Foods)

This chili was made Texas-style (Erin!).

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I also made bison meatloaf (so good I made it twice!). This was the last piece of my second loaf – served with ketchup.

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This past weekend I also experimented with bison strip steak, which I cooked in a cast-iron pan using this method, which was really easy.

I am so proud whenever I do a good job cooking steak! I don’t have a lot of experience OR a meat thermometer (which I wouldn’t know how to use anyway), so it’s always a crap-shoot.

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Long story short, I’m digging the bison.

Sidenote: I did a Google Image search of “buffalo” and they are so cute. I am so thankful to all of God’s creatures, big and small. Circle of life! Okay, so The Lion King was on last night…

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Happy Monday, ya’ll!

Jam of the day: Juliana Hatfield “Spin the Bottle”

Failed grocery planning and obstinance means pancakes for dinner

I grocery shop once a week, and meal plan to the best of my ability – food wasting is an ultimate no-no in my eyes. Unfortunately, sometimes meal planning doesn’t always agree with my decisive tastes. I’m so stubborn! And high maintenance! Or a slave to my finicky appetite, you decide.

So………

Pancakes for dinner last night. I used this recipe, subbed butter for coconut oil, and ate the whole thing.

Then I had cereal for dessert.

I think the fact that I made the pancakes from scratch negates the fact that I ate pancakes and cereal for dinner as a 24 year-old adult. Yes?

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Also, today’s jam is everything. Follow the link.

Jam of the day: Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu “Q.U.E.E.N“

Happy Earth Day 2013

Get yourself and your reusable mugs to your local Starbucks and/or Caribou Coffee today for a free cup of joe!

Jam of the day: Iron and Wine “Baby Center Stage”

Kurt Vile

I only know three seasons – summer, fall, and winter. Living in Pennsylvania for most of my life, spring is this mythical creature that may appear for 2 weeks max, but don’t count on it. The weather usually goes from snowing to 80 degrees and muggy in about a week. Does that really count as a whole season?

Regardless, I am taking the snow tires off of my car and putting the the AC box in my window and it is officially summer!

Changing seasons requires a change in musical preference. Summer is smooth, pop-y R&B songs (from Stevie Wonder to Justin Timberlake) and grungy punk and A Tribe Called Quest. And mellow rock that bridges classic and indie. You know, stoner music.

Kurt Vile was recently introduced to my ears and he fits that last description perfectly. I listened to his newest album, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, when it came out last week and fell in love instantly. Now I am backtracking, eating up his older records like Easter candy. If you are looking for some hazy psych-rock, please check him out!

Jam of the day: Kurt Vile “Never Run Away”