Chronicles of a Curly Head: April 2012

Hellooooooooo everyone!!

How are you doing on this glorious Monday?

I'm just fantastic thank you!

Today is my second day of three in a row off of work, which is absolutely unheard of! And I'm not complaining in the least bit. It's 5 pm and I still have yet to get out of my pajamas, make myself food, or do anything with my face or hair. This is what happens after a crazy busy and exhausting week in the kitchen.... I just don't care - about anything lol. Yesterday I ran around all day with my roommate - and I have a ton of errands planned for tomorrow - so today is reserved for absolutely nothingness.

Messy hair don't care.

The importance of doing 'nothing'.........

I’m the type of person that needs to DO all of the time. I don’t like to sit still for long periods of time, and perhaps I can blame this on my profession. In the various kitchens I've worked in - if you aren't moving or if you're sitting down then you aren't doing enough. You're being lazy. You aren't doing your job. But as you all know that isn't necessarily true outside of the kitchen. This I have to remind myself on days like these.

My Jenna/reaxation/doing nothing time today has consisted of of: Sitting here on this swing set working on my computer for several hours, watching my dogs run around the yard and trying to keep my puppy from eating things she isn’t supposed to eat, watering my plants, reading a couple of chapters from this fascinating beekeeping book, taking a nap in my car (because I’m a weirdo and like to sleep in my car with the windows down when it’s nice out) returning long overdue e-mails, and catching up on a handful of my shows with my mom.

My only complaint today is that I don’t have a patio in my back yard to shield me from the sun, a hammock, or a place to swim. These are the things that would make today even more relaxing….. that and a kick ball game (Shar and I have been discussing having kick ball games and such with our friends……gotta get that started asap).

I frequently drive around with no where to go just because I don’t like being immobile. My best/roommate has the same issue as well when it comes to feeling as if she isn’t doing enough, and I can't help but wonder if a majority of you are like this was well. I kick myself in the ass for not blogging "enough", or spending more time honing my cooking skills, or trying to find more ways to utilize my talents and time etc.

Unfortunately I frequently forget that I don't have to be working on something all of the time. I don't have to fill every second of every day with "stuff". I'm currently making a conscious effort to work on picking up hobbies that fell to the wayside when I started working a lot more (such as playing softball, reading, crafting, going to Kings Island, riding my bike, dancing, gardening, baking, etc.) make more 'me' time, and just training myself to enjoy doing very little on my days off.

It is very important to make time for ourselves for the things that we really want to do or else we'll go crazy and/or exhaust ourselves in the long run!

Well that's all from me today!

I hope you enjoy todays post.

I must warn you all - it is quite long.

Have a wonderful day!

xoxoxo - Jenna

Let us begin....

[[Todays music]]

(1) DANGERKIDS – COUNTDOWN

I thoroughly enjoy spreading the good word that is music. The best way I know how to do that is to use my blog as an outlet (because where else can I speak to hundreds of people all across the world at the same time?) It’s safe to say that 98% of the music I feature on CCH are artists that I’ve never met– the other 2% is reserved for the awesome people that I have the pleasure of knowing. Today I’m happy to share great music and support great people at the same time.

If you could take a moment to check out my friends new band ‘Dangerkids’ and their debut single – countdown – that would be awesome!

http://www.wearedangerkids.com/

(2) QUIET COMPANY – YOU, ME, & THE BOATMAN

(3) MAT KEARNEY – DANCING IN THE DARK

[[Today’s restaurant]]

ALINEA – CHICAGO, IL

If anyone dares to argue that food isn't art....check out this restaurant and then rethink your stance. There is no argument to be had.....

(2) SOLO PER DUE - ITALY

"Just for Two" - is the smallest restaurant in the world: it has only one table and it takes just two people at a time. So there are no queues, no turns, and no waiting; all [their] attention is dedicated to the two people who have booked.

The building which houses SOLO PER DUE dates from the nineteenth century and is situated in a very evocative historical location; in the grounds there are the remains of a Roman villa. Carlo Bartolomeo Piazza (1703) identified them as the country villa belonging to the Latin poet HORACE, given to him by MECENATE. As well as admiring the mosaic floors and the portico of the villa, you can also visit the nearby Bandusia Fountain, close to the ruins, to which Horace dedicated one of his most celebrated poems.

When you are ready for your meal, the lights go down, the atmosphere takes on a magical quality, and you can summon the waiter whenever you like with a silver bell."

Solo per Due - the smallest restaurant in the world

[[Today's kitchen gadgets]]

(1) THE FOOD POD

"This futuristic-looking FoodPod manages to cross boil-in-a-bag cuisine with a strainer, steamer, and a bouquet garni. According to the manufacturer, FusionFoods, the device will save "time and water when preparing a meal, keeps foods together for easy removal and even cooking and acts as a strainer, reserving the cooking liquid." With a 1.75 quart capacity, FusionFoods says it can hold up to a dozen large eggs or several heads of broccoli. The FoodPod is made of dishwasher-safe silicone and nylon and has a built-in clip for attaching to the side of the pot and for use as a handle to yank it out of the water at the end of cooking."

(2) BOTTLE CAP HOLDER

(3) PRIMULA BLACK 40-OUNCE TEA POT SET WITH LOOSE TEA INFUSER AND 3 FLOWERING GREEN TEAS

(4) TOOTHPICK HOLDER

(5) FINGER TONGS

[[Today’s random]]

(1) SANDWICH ART

(2) FAKE POOL

(3) DIMITRI TSYKALOV

(4) THE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF MACHU PICCHU

(5) A REAL LIFE VERSION OF THE ANIMATED FILM 'UP'

“National Geographic Channel have created a real-life version of the animated film Up — launching a house thousands of metres into the air using balloons.

A team of scientists, engineers, and two world-class balloon pilots successfully launched a 16' X 16' house 18' tall with 8' coloured weather balloons from a private airfield east of Los Angeles, and set a new world record for the largest balloon cluster flight ever attempted.

Using 300 helium-filled weather balloons, the lightweight building reached an altitude of more than 3000m and remained in the air for about an hour.
The filming of the event, from a private airstrip, will be part of a new National Geographic Channel series called How Hard Can it Be?, which will premiere in fall 2011.”

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/article/detail/1899/a-reallife-version-of-the-animated-film-up

(6) HOTEL KAKSLAUTTANEN

(7) EUBIQ

I spent a good portion of Saturday night huddled around a computer with about ten + friends watching hilarious youtube videos. These are the most hilarious/memorable of the evening…..

(8) RUSSIAN UNICORN – A BAD LIP READING OF MICHAEL BUBLE

Oh. My. Hahahahaha.

What makes this even better is comparing it to the original song.

I love Michael…..

(9) KINGS OF LEON – SHREDS- THEIR WORST PERFORMANCE EVER

Let me preface this by saying that this video is not real lol.

That being said – whoever made it did an amazing job because it is ridiculously hilarious and convincing. We couldn’t stop laughing….

(10) COLDPLAY – SHREDS

Bahahahaha.

Omg. I can’t stop laughing.

This was by far the best one.

(11) SLOTH CROSSING THE STREET

[[Today's food clip]]

I know you're probably thinking "geeze Jenna, what's up with always featuring the same people on your food clips??" Well - I like these people. I like Hilah, I like Clara, I like chef John, I like Liza from Foodcurated and the 3 or 4 other people I usually feature. I am an advocate of these peoples lives and careers. I never get bored watching them prepare various recipes...I feature what I know and like, and if that's the same people over and over again - then so be it.....ok....that's all I have to say about that lol.

(1) FAT BOY ICE CREAM

I'm not going to lie....I thinking about driving to the store to buy ice cream sandwiches when I'm done with this post lol.