Mmmmmm...musical donuts....

So I was poking around online and found a picture of the donut CD case.

I really, really hope this is just like the one I get as part of my package of fabulous Simpsons-related prizes. Did I mention that it is also supposed to smell like doughnuts?

Suh-weet!

Normally I think this is a bunch of bunk, but...

I was reading the August issue of InStyle Magazine and came across my horoscope.
Normally I read them, but they tend to be so vague they can apply to anyone and anything.
But this one really caught my eye.
Here it is:

Taurus

(April 20 to May 20)

It's all about nesting this month as checking out paint chips and meeting with contractors will fill your schedule. Even when costs mount, you'll get joy from seeing your vision take form.

There was more, but that was the vague part...

So, um, WOW. If you have been reading here, you know that I am in the early stages of getting my kitchen remodeled.
They deliver the appliances Monday. The cabinets should be done and delivered by the end of July. Which means actual work will start in August.
For once my horoscope seems to be right on.
Now, how does this work for the other millions and millions of Tauruses (Tauri??) out there? Are they all remodeling, too?

Can I get a "Woo Hoo!!!?"

So on the way to work today I was listening to the radio as usual. I alternate between the news stations for news and traffic reports and KROQ for music.

Just as I switched from a traffic report over to KROQ, they did a promo for a contest. Be caller 20 and you win whatever they are doing that day/week.

I try on occasion to win concert tickets, but never have.

And today was no different. I did NOT win concert tickets.

Here is what I did win:

• Passes to the exclusive world premiere of "The Simpsons Movie"
• Seats along the red carpet to watch the stars arrive
• Invites to the after party with the stars
• A Simpson's DVD box set
• The movie Soundtrack - in a donut box that apparently also smells like donuts

Awesome!

So now you know what I will be doing Tuesday evening.

So exciting, I just might burst

I'd like to say that I haven't posted here for a day or so because I have been SO busy.
But mostly it's been pretty normal (boring) here, so I don't have much to report.
Yesterday I worked until about 8 p.m. After work I went out to dinner with the man friend.
For those who do not know why I use the term "man friend," it is because at my age I feel kind of silly saying "boy friend."
I'm not 16 anymore and I don't date boys.
Anyway...
Today I did some grocery shopping, ran a couple errands and had lunch with a friend.
Then I came to work. Not a bad day, just not exciting.
Since tonight is my late night, I will be meeting a former colleague or two for a beer after work. This is something we like to do on occasion. Usually it is once a week.
As for tomorrow... I can pretty much predict how that will go.
Wake up, do the early prep for dinner (put the chicken in to marinate, chop the veggies for the salad, etc.) then clean.
If I have time, I will do one other chore or errand before work.
Then I go to work. I should be out by 8 p.m.
The man friend is coming over for dinner tomorrow. I am going to grill some lemon-herb chicken and veggies and make some cous cous.
There you go. Exciting, huh?

Things are heating up with my kitchen

I got a call today about the appliances I ordered. They are all in!
There was a backorder on some of them, so the delivery date was originally Aug. 23.
Now it is Monday.
The cabinets are supposed to be ready by the end of the month. So my kitchen project could start by then.
Fun!

Having a breakdown

The plan for Sunday was simple.

I was going to go with the man friend to take his dad's 1970 Mustang out for a drive around the Peninsula. His dad is out of town for a while, and the car needs to be driven, right?

It had been a while since the car was started, so it took a bit to get it going.

Once we did, we saw it was low on gas. We headed for the closest station to gas up and wash the windows. All is fine until we try to leave the gas station.

Nothing.

Car. Won't. Start.

Good thing we are at a service station, right?

Wrong. No mechanic on Sundays.

We call AAA and they send out a dude in a maintenance truck even though we ask for a tow. He tests the battery and bangs around under the hood looking at the starter. Still nothing.

After about 15 minutes of this, he calls for a tow. So on top of the 30 minutes we already waited and the 15 minutes of dicking around with the car, we have to wait another 30 minutes for the tow truck.

As we are waiting, some kids set up a lemonade and cookie stand on the corner. We amuse ourselves by walking over and getting a cool drink and some snickerdoodles.

Nice.

And while we sat there, another old Mustang pulled up to the next pump. It was a beauty. And it was mocking us as it drove in and then so easily drove away again while our classic ride sat with it's hood exposed like an open wound.

Finally the tow truck arrived and we had him take us back to the dad's house.

Then we took mf's car and had our drive around PV anyway. It was a great day for it.

But it is amazing that even though it was kind of a pain in the ass, the whole time I was still having fun.

Nee-oh-kee with pesto cream sauce... or something like that

I did make that gnocchi with creamy pesto sauce and prosciutto on Saturday. I had some sauteed veggies on the side. It was pretty good.
Of course, you have to like gnocchi and some people just can't get past the doughiness of those little dumplings.
This was a cheaters dinner.
I bought the pre-made gnocchi, pesto sauce and a thing of creme fraiche from Trader Joe's.
I warmed the pesto and added the creme fraiche and a little parmesan cheese.
I boiled the water to cook the gnocchi.
In a sautee pan I heated a splash of olive oil and added some chopped garlic. When that just started to brown, I threw in some of the veggies I had leftover from the pizza toppings: sliced mushrooms and zucchini.
I let that start to sizzle a little and added a little Chardonnay to the pan. Then I covered it and turned up the heat. It only took a few minutes (the time it took to cook the gnocchi) to cook the veggies to just done.
I drained the water from the gnocchi and put it back in the pot and covered it with the sauce. I tossed it with some chopped prosciutto (also from TJs) and served.
Cheaters dinner. But tasty.