A profound insight

I'm reluctant to be considered brilliant or shrewd... but we all know that these 5 question tests can pinpoint personalities with amazing accuracy right?! This is all you need to know about me:

You Are Chess

You are brilliant and shrewd. You can often predict what people will do in the future. You thrive in complex situations. You deal with contradictions well. You can have many streams of though going on at your mind at once. You keep track of things well. You are very patient. You have lots of endurance, even when your energy dwindles

You Should Live in South Carolina

If you don't want to live in South Carolina, you might also consider: Alabama Kansas Kentucky New Hampshire North Carolina

What State Should You Live In?

You Are Granola

You are creative and inventive. You don't do much the ordinary or normal way. You like to explore new ideas and lifestyles. Something isn't for you just because other people do it. Quick breakfast fixes are definitely not your style. You're the type most likely to cook yourself an amazing homemade breakfast.

What Kind of Cereal Are You?

You Will Not Be a Cool Parent

And that's pretty okay. While your kids may not think of you as a friend, they will respect you. You know that kids need discipline and structure, and you're not afraid to give it to them.Just be careful that your strictness doesn't lead to rebellion.It's good to have standards and rules, but you don't need to have an iron fist when enforcing them.

Would You Be a Cool Parent?

You Are 15% Redneck

I'll slap you so hard, your clothes will be outta style.You ain't no redneck - you're all Yankee!

How Redneck Are You?

What Your Pizza Reveals

Your appetite is pretty average. You don't go overboard - but you don't deprive yourself either.You aren't particularly picky about pizza. It's so good... how could you be? You fit in best in the Western part of the US.You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are generous, outgoing, and considerate with your choices. You are cultured and intellectual. You should consider traveling to Vienna.The stereotype that best fits you is geek. You're the type most likely to order pizza to avoid leaving your computer.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

What Your Burger Says About You

You are very gluttonous. Even if you're full, you'll still clear your plate. You are likely a fairly picky eater. And you're secretly a little squeamish about some foods. You are a very open eater. You like many types of tastes, and you'll eat just about anything. You tend to gravitate toward strong, pungent foods. Even if it means having bad breath! You are straightforward, honest, and ambitious. You tend to be direct about what you want when it comes to food. You are emotional. You have a big heart, and you tend to go for comfort foods. You have trouble making decisions quickly. Everything looks good to you... especially at a restaurant. You are social, outgoing, and a risk taker. Among your friends, you are the first to try a new food.

What Does Your Burger Say About You?

You Are an Onion Bagel

You are spontaneous, savvy, and multi-talented. You enjoy taking risks, and you're not the kind of person who makes long term plans. Of all the types, you're the most likely to eat something new for kicks. You tend to have something unusual for breakfast... if you even have breakfast at all.

What Kind of Bagel Are You?

You Are 15% Pirate

Arrr, yer nay a gentleman o' fortune, an' ye dasn't make like yer one. Ye rather stay on dry land than take to the seas lookin' fer booty. Peg legs an' eye patches really aren't yer thing. And parrots scare ye. So stay away from the Caribbean, unless yer prepared to walk the plank.

Would You Make a Good Pirate?

You Are an Apple

You are strong, powerful, and even a bit stubborn at times. You have enough strength to help those around you in trouble. You are adventurous and charming. Many people are drawn to you. You love life, and you enjoy traveling the world. You enjoy fine food, art, and culture. People have accused you of being a snob, but that's not accurate. You do enjoy the best things in life. Unlike snobs, you truly appreciate quality... not just pretend to.

What Type of Fruit Are You?

Facelift

I just needed to do SOMETHING to the blog. So there's my solution. Notice all the links on the sidebar... a couple "real life friends" and a couple 'e-friends' PLUS some other random blogs I frequent occasionally. Have a peeksy huh? These are all much more polished than this little blog here. I've not the inclination or patience to photograph steps to a recipe I made or steps we took when crafting something. It makes for a more interesting read I agree... but I'm trying to get out of the mindset of "Ooh! That would make a good blog post, I better get the camera" ... into the mindset of just enjoying the moment and perhaps sharing it with you all as an afterthought. If you'd like some jolly recipes, I do have to recommend one lovely bit... pumpkin bread (I made muffins... my quickbreads never seem to turn out right). Not just any pumpkin bread... friends, the QUEEN of all pumpkin breads. And please please please know that the KEY to any muffin is the gentlest mixing possible of wet and dry ingredients! Do it by hand, slowly and just barely enough to introduce the wets to the dry! This makes for a delish muffin! So I made this Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread and loved it as is... but my mouth began to quiver with delight when I imagined adding a streusel topping to it (just copy the streusel recipe from something else on that site: type in "streusel". Oh the glory that beckons!!!

So that has been my gastronomic delight of the month, along with making a batch of Tinga up last month. Tinga, you may or may not know, is one of the BEST authentic Mexican foods out there. When I stayed in Cuernavaca oh so long ago, it was hands down my favorite dish. You can't find it here in the US, insofar as I've searched restaurants and such. I used to be a literacy tutor for a Mexican woman back in Cali and she once made a batch up for me and that was the last time I'd had it until recently when I found a recipe for it online. So I'll share that with you if you appreciate GOOD, AUTHENTIC Mexican food. Be sure to follow all the recommendations in my review (my name on that site is "gimmedatcheesecake"... don't ask) That picture on the site is mine too! Enjoy!

Finally, I'm trying my hand at the slide show thing... it takes a million years to load onto blogger apparently so I'm just going to link you to it. These are pictures including Leo's 4th birthday (his cake was a disaster, try not to look at it closely), Halloween, All Saint's Day and the beach... enjoy!

All Saint's Day

... more photo catch up to come, but here are St. Michael the Archangel and St. Maximilian Kolbe!