whoa
Recipe: beef and barley soup
There has been a steady influx of messages since Tuesday afternoon alerting me that urb was ranked in the Times of London’s 50 of the world’s best food blogs. You’ll have to flip to page 4, because I’m #39…
*blink blink*
GET OUT! I am floored. I don’t think I’ve ever been ranked #anything in the world. What’s even better is that I am in the company of many of my favorite food blogs. This is quite the honor. I was speechless for all of two minutes!
meme
So there is this rather long meme about marriage that Heather recently wrote up, and while I don’t know the woman (nor she me) I thought the questions would be fun to answer and perhaps a little informative – for me as well. Oh, and I tag every damn (in the good way, remember) one of you with a blog. Let’s get on it… there’s a recipe waiting.
What are your middle names?
His: Kane, Mine: S-ih
How long have you been together?
16+ years
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
Lemme see… a month?
Who asked whom out?
I asked Jeremy if he had anything going on Friday afternoon and he lied to me and said, no, he didn’t have anything going on, when in fact he had a math recitation, which he skipped – it was the only class he ever skipped.
How old are each of you?
He is 35 and I’m 37. I knocked him clear out of the cradle…
Whose siblings do you see the most?
Seeing as my sister died 5 years ago, we see Jeremy’s brother more often.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
We’ve weathered graduate school, my sister’s death and all of the headache of the aftermath, and then my cancer – all with flying colors as far as being a couple goes. Basically, Jeremy is a treasure.
Did you go to the same school?
Why yes. We both went to Caltech for our BS degrees (me: engineering and applied science, he: physics) and then we suffered Cornell for our PhDs (me: geophysics, he: astrophysics). This made my mother immensely happy.
Are you from the same home town?
Nope. I’m from Williamsburg, Virginia and Jeremy hails from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Who is smarter?
That depends – Jeremy is infinitely smarter when it comes to abstract and advanced concepts. He is an academic super-star and he has an amazing breadth of knowledge spanning economics, the sciences, music, politics, medicine. The man used to be a navigator in Search and Rescue – we NEVER get lost (meaning, he never gets us lost). I’m more intuitive when it comes to physical/mechanical systems and practical design. I’m quicker, more creative, and less constrained by conventional thinking.
Who is the most sensitive?
Jeremy’s parents never criticize their children. My parents criticized us all the time (per the Chinese parent handbook) – I call it boot camp. Jeremy is very sensitive to criticism whereas I could care less. But I’m the one who bawled my eyes out when Sam carried Frodo up Mount Doom. That said, all of my girlfriends adore Jeremy as he is an astute observer and far more sensitive and caring than any heterosexual man.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
That would have to be Sushi Tora in Boulder.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
New Zealand – three times. And we’ll do it again.
Who has the craziest exes?
I have the dorkiest exes.
Who has the worst temper?
Oh yeah, I’m all over that one :)
Who does the cooking?
Guess.
Who is the neat-freak?
Just two weeks ago I forced Jeremy to take me to his office so we could find the surface of his desk.
Who is more stubborn?
Me again.
Who hogs the bed?
Definitely Kaweah. How a 55 pound dog can shove two adults off a queen-size bed is beyond me, but she and her jiggy legs and bunny dreams manage it.
Who wakes up earlier?
Me. I hate to sleep and he loves to sleep. He tells our friends he hasn’t slept in for 16+ years.
Where was your first date?
The Pasadena Bakery in Old Pasadena. Oh, the days of youth and hormones.
Who is more jealous
Neither one of us has ever been jealous of other people… But Jeremy does get upset when I ignore him in favor of the dog or when I accidentally call him Kaweah.
How long did it take to get serious?
No time flat and it’s been that way ever since.
Who eats more
Me.
Who does the laundry?
Jeremy. I’d also like to point out that this amazing man cleans the bathrooms, vacuums, does the dishes, and fluffs my pillow every night.
Who’s better with the computer?
Jeremy is better at system administration, programming, computation, and hardware. I am better at web design, interfaces, graphics, satellite imagery, and parsing data from NASA.
Who drives when you are together?
Jeremy drives unless he’s had a drink or we need to get someplace fast.
Right. Susan posted a scrumptious soup way back in November that immediately sent me scribbling beef bones on my grocery list for the coming week. We cook all sorts of foods, right? And yet there are those foods we eat, but we never think to cook for some odd reason. Beef and barley soup is something I have always loved. I bought it in cans. I ordered it in restaurants. Never once tried to make it at home until lovely Susan stuck the idea in my head. [Thanks, hon!]
seasoned oxtails and short ribs
lovingly roasted
I more or less followed a fusion of Susan’s recipe and several others from online sources and a soup and stews cookbook. Of course, I made this soup back in November and cannot remember what the heck I did. Thankfully, I am OCD enough that I jotted the notes down in one of five notebooks that document everything I do because I knew Future Me would be glad – and I am. You can make this process much easier by using beef broth and a leaner cut of meat, but I liked the sound of the roasting bones (something I had never tried before) and Kaweah quite liked the smell of roasting beef bones in the house. She kept strolling into the kitchen, raising her snout into the air with a casual wag of the tail.
rehydrating porcini mushrooms
mise en place: diced vegetables and the barley
While the roasted bones were simmering in water for the broth, I prepped the rest of the ingredients. [I have a pound of crimini mushrooms listed in the recipe, but I forgot to buy them, so did without.] When the broth was ready, I stripped the beef from the bones and removed any excess fat. Kaweah used to chew on beef bones all the time until she shattered (we’re talking 14 fracture planes) one of her molars at the age of 2. Little Miss Power Chewer had her tooth removed and the Cornell veterinary dentist said no more beef bones for our gap-tooth hillbilly dawg. It was a sad day.
garlic paste and seasonings
stripped beef from the bones
Aside from making the broth, this pot of soup comes together rather quickly… and deliciously. If you like to de-fat your broth like I do, this nifty ziploc bag trick is a huge time saver. After sautéing the onions and seasonings, everything gets dumped into the pot and simmered until done.
sautéed onions with seasonings
adding all of the ingredients
The whole ensemble is a satisfying bowl of homey flavors that play nicely together. I love the chewy pop of barley in my soups. This recipe is the perfect après ski meal to curl up with in winter – and there is still plenty of winter to be had around here. I relish it.
hearty and wholesome
Beef and Barley Soup
[print recipe]
adapted from Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy
2.5 lbs. beef bones (I used 1 pound oxtails, 1 pound short ribs)
1 tsp salt plus more to taste
black pepper
3-4 quarts water
1 oz. dried porcini mushrooms
2 medium cloves garlic
2 medium onions, diced
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
3 tbsps olive oil
1 lb. crimini mushrooms, diced (I must have forgotten these)
5 medium carrots, diced
4 ribs celery, diced
1 cup pearl barley
4 tsps lemon juice, fresh squozen
Preheat oven to 425°F. Rinse the beef bones and pat dry. Season the beef bones with salt and pepper and roast them in a baking or roasting pan for 90 minutes. Soak the porcini mushrooms in boiling water. When the mushrooms are rehydrated, strain and reserve the liquid. Rinse the porcini mushrooms of any sand and grit and then chop them up. Mash a teaspoon of salt into the garlic to make a paste. Set aside. When the beef is done, remove the beef to a stock pot (including any fond from the baking pan) and cover with water (about 3-4 quarts). Bring the water to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 4 hours. Remove the beef from the broth and strip the meat into a bowl. Discard the fat and bones. Strain the broth and then de-fat the broth. In the empty stock pot, sauté the onions in olive oil over high heat. When the onions soften, add the garlic paste and seasonings, stirring until fragrant. Then add the mushrooms (both kinds, or just the porcinis if you forgot to buy criminis like me), carrots, celery, barley, beef, broth, porcini liquid, and lemon juice. Bring the contents to a boil then reduce to simmer until the barley is tender to the bite. Serve hot.
February 19th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Congratulations! I’ve been a VERY regular visitor of your blog, so great to see it finally being recognized! I love the pictures, recipes and Kaweah but what I really love the most is that you don’t take crap. From anyone. I love that.
February 19th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I adore your blog and your spot on that list is definitely well-deserved! You are awesome.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:18 am
Congrats!!!!!
February 20th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Hi Jennifer, I’am an italian reader of your fantastic blog. Your Photos, your dog, your country and expecially your cooking tecnics are perfect. I’ m really happy for your results in “blogging”. So go ahead, straight on your way…. and excuse for my english…:)
Paola
February 20th, 2009 at 5:30 am
Good for you! :)
39 is grotesquely underestimated though.
They must be still compiling their “Platinum list of excellence and distinction”, because I’m not on this one.
:D
February 20th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Congratulations! Completely deserved, I can assure you. And now I want to make soup using roasted bones. Hmm…
February 20th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Jennifer: I am a Swedish fan of Use Real Butter and in my humble opinion #39 is too low. Your blog is one of the best. It is not only filled with delicious recipies, but it also has your fantastic photography and that taken together make this one of the most inspiring food blogs around. Keep up the good work!
February 20th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Completely deserved honour Jen! Love your site and particularly the new recipe index. You’re now bookmarked as a place I can come to find recipes that will work. Looking forward to making the Knorr spinach dip this week for book club.
February 20th, 2009 at 7:17 am
I cant believe Kaweah shattered her tooth! I let our dog, Suki, chew on big marrow bones all the time. I’m going to watch her close the next time I give her one. Soup looks delish, and I love your answers to the marriage questions. I hope my marriage is just as wonderful when we’ve been together as long as you guys!
February 20th, 2009 at 7:31 am
I’ll be right over for a bowl of that soup!
Loved your meme replies. Too fun! It’s always nice hearing little details of folks lives.
Can I borrow Jeremy for awhile? I need help with my spring cleaning and a lesson in fireballs over Texas.
;)
February 20th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Oh….Jenzie, how could I forget? duh………….:
CONGRATULATIONS! When I was reading the list I kept saying to myself….”Where’s Jen?”
I was prepped and ready to write nasties if I didn’t see your blog.
You are amongst the finest. I celebrate all of you!!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Personally, I think you should be a lot higher on the best 50 list! Congratulations, and thanks for the delicious soup recipe – your intructional photos are the best!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Kudos and congratulations to you; so very deserved and it is lovely to see you getting the recognition. Cheers!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:12 am
I just happened to find your blog one night and I have been thankful ever since! It is entertaining, informative and insightful. Congratulations on the recognition and thanks for sharing with us. :)
February 20th, 2009 at 8:44 am
congrats!!! I came to your blog following a link on Tartlette and have loved since. Congrats on the well deserved recognition. (can’t do the tag as I’m a single).
February 20th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Congratulations! Yours is the first blog I visit when I see a new post on my reader. Thanks for sharing, you and Jeremy are an awesome couple, sounds like you’ve really got a good partnership.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:10 am
KUDOS and CONGRATULATIONS to you! Now don’t go gettin’ all hoity-toity on us, ya hear!!!!
February 20th, 2009 at 9:14 am
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your answers to the meme. You two have such an enviable relationship. So nice.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:20 am
“when in fact he had a math recitation, which he skipped – it was the only class he ever skipped.” That is the most endearing thing I’ve ever read. Haha, very cute.
The soup looks abso-freakin-lutely delish too.
February 20th, 2009 at 9:35 am
We have a snow storm coming our way tonight that will last until tomorrow midday … I may have to make a trip to the grocery store early tonight to prepare this delicious/wholesome/warming soup! Thank you :)
February 20th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I love what you say about you and Jeremy, and HOW you say it. I also love your photography for your food blog. I must tell you I have a very thoughtful hubby who cleans the house and fluffs my pillows everynight. Isn’t it great to live with a gem of a man?!!!
February 20th, 2009 at 10:18 am
Congrats for making it to the top 50! You deserve it completely!
Nice to learn more about you…
That hearty soup looks mighty delicious! A tasty recipe!
Cheers,
Rosa
February 20th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Congrats! I love reading your blog and seeing all the wonderful recipes you come up with!
February 20th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Congratulations! I agree with everyone here–you truly deserve the recognition.
That bit about the math recitation is great :)
February 20th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Congrats, Jen!! Totally deserved.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
hey Jen :)
your blog is definitely one of my top 10s … i check it -dare i say- religiously while in the lab and at home.
i love the recipes and i stay for the stories and the photos (which are breathtaking btw). i am so making that panna cotta you posted earlier !
hugs from canada :)
February 20th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I love your blog so much I cannot even believe you were surprised. :)
February 20th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
CONGRATS! You deserve it – we LOVE your site! There is so much heart & love right here.
The beef barley soup sounds great, too!!!
Happy skiing!
xx oo
February 20th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Congrats!
The soup looks amzingly good.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Jen, I only recently discovered your site and have to say I come here often for your optimisim and humor as well as my food fixes for the day. Congratulations on your being picked for being one of the best, it’s great.
Jeanne
February 20th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Congratulations! Though I think you shoulda been #1! ;)
February 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Congratulations! I’m not surprised one bit!
You two are just so perfect for each other – I loved reading your answers!
February 20th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Congratulations! It must feel really nice to be listed among the top 50! :) You’re lucky to have someone fluff your pillow at night, I have to do it myself. Haha. The part that cracked me up most was when you wrote how you accidentally call Jeremy ‘Kaweah’. Lol. And yes, the soup looks so very hearty and perfect for winter. Actually it’s warming up here in California again, it’s rather confusing…Anyway, have a great weeked, Jen! :)
Ah wait, I’m guessing your middle name is…Shih?
February 20th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
well done, you absolutely deserve it. i have been reading your blog for a while now and do not tire of the beautiful pictures, your stories and the lovely recipes… keep up the great work!
February 20th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Looks like my comment never made it last night…To sum “Go Jen” “loved the meme” and “Oh Yum”
You rock chica! Have fun with the in-laws
February 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
i come to see your blog every other day, and most of the time, there’s new ones waiting for me to enjoy. I love it!
forget those top 50’s..who cares……….you are the best~~!!
Jie
February 20th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Old Town Bakery! Ah, those were the days. It’s now some awful Italian/California Fusion restaurant that has a DJ spinning records after 9:30 PM, like most of the restaurants on Colorado. Sad, isn’t it? Pasadena used to be so lovely and now it’s a wasteland of Cheesecake Factory and bar/nightclubs that no one I know would be caught dead in!
The soup looks deeeeeelish, and I really enjoyed reading this meme. Thanks.
February 20th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Congrats, you totally deserved it! I think the first time I saw your blog, I literally went through all your previous posts because your recipes and pictures are amazing. Now it’s on my bookmark toolbar so I check it everyday, even though it makes me drool every time I see it.. :]
February 20th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
WOW! Congratulations! I am so happy for you!
My friend is famous! My friend is famous!
And your meme is adorable. It really makes me laugh because it’s almost exactly the opposite of what mine would say…..
Oh boy…congratulations again!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
1) Congratulations! I am not in the last surprised, but am ecstatic to see you getting the recognition you heartily deserve. I love your photography, am stunned by your baking prowess & mise-en-place skills (yeah, it’s a skill… one I don’t have. I’m a very, very messy cook), and always leave your posts hungry.
2) You and Jeremy are adorable. I love geeky guys, and I married one, an electrical engineer, so I know the benefits thereof firsthand.
3) Again, congrats! :)
February 20th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Congratulations!
February 21st, 2009 at 11:19 am
Congratulations! You deserve it!
February 21st, 2009 at 11:35 am
Well, yeah…I’m new to all this food blogging, however, you should be in the top ten my dear. But what do I know? Keep on keepin’ on stranger friend…..you can even make beef barely soup look yummy!
February 21st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Congratulations! Not only do you deserve it but you Rock. Rita
February 21st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I adore soup and that is awesome! Yum! I’m sad for K girl tho… no bones? K boy lurves his and we’d all be bummed if he couldn’t any more. I worry about his teeth sometimes too, and now I know it’s not without cause!
I am so making this soup. mmmmm and it gives me another chance to use the ziplock trick! I love that… so simple and yet so perfect.
I also love that you brainiacs have to clarify between system admin and computation vs. satellite imagery parsing data when asked “who’s better at teh computer… lol
I’m back at blogging and will totally take you up on that…
February 21st, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Hey you deserve the acknowledgement! You write great posts, have incredible food and amazing talent.
I think I will do that meme. There hasnt been many lately, so it will be fun.
February 21st, 2009 at 6:48 pm
This looks incredible!!
And congrats on making the list =)
February 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
A thousand congratulations on making the Times Top 50! Of course, I’m not at all surprised. The love and care you put into this site seeps right through the computer screen. I just wish a few drops of your talent would splash my way! ;)
I’m so flattered that you liked my soup enough to try it. I love your tweaks! I’m definitely adding the mushrooms and lemon juice next time.
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 am
Congrats Jen!! So well deserved! Yours is still the first blog I go to when I feel like surfing… Can’t wait to see you move up to Top 10 next year. ;)
If you wanna still treat Kaweah to a FABULOUSLY, FANTASTICAL treat – go for pork bones. They’re way softer. I freeze 2-3 cut up pork neck bones (raw; then frozen) and Lucca has herself one very special dinner! Unless Kaweah’s teeth are especially compromised now – either due to age or her 2 year-old incident – I’d imagine they’d be perfectly fine and she would LUV them.
Finally got the SB-800 since they’re practically all gone (wanted it over the 900 after reading a lot of reviews) and have been happily using your Photojournalist on it. FUN TIMES! Lovin’ it…
Happy height of the ski season. And congrats again!
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:22 am
congrats Jen, definitely a well deserved accolade! :)
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:32 pm
Congrats Jen!!! I find it awesome that you rank amongst the best in the WORLD!!! Make us proud.
Oh yeah, and very cute meme…you and Jeremy are like the Lego pieces that fit together.
February 22nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Well done on making the Times list. Very deserved. Interesting meme too.
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Congratulations! How wonderful. I hope you continue blogging for a very long time.
February 22nd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
first of all, congrats to you on that top 50 of the world! well done girlie! and those braised oxtails… almost fell off my chair. look at that caramelization! you’d make all my culinary school instructors happy!
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Congrats on top 50! I’ve enjoyed your blog during my adventures in cooking and even have adapted a recipe or two of yours…Also, just wanted to say it’s awesome your a geophysicist…I’m a geologist ;-)
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Whoa, indeed! That you did a meme :-D That URB is in the top 50 is not a surprise. It would have been if it wasn’t included. It should be in the top 10.
I love the chewiness of barley. I pressure cook the heck out of it though when I make a mooshed up stew called haleem – a special dish made to celebrate the end of the Ramadan fast.
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
HmmmMMM, this is perfect for having on a chilly night! Snuggled up at our ‘cosy corner’, watching a DVD with a soup bowl in each pair of our hands.
And hey Jen! I’m not surprised! Your blog is THAT GOOD! You sure deserve to be UP THERE in the top 50! Cheers!
This marriage meme is cute! Like you, my temper is the worse one in the marriage. Sigh! *I* find the surface of my husband’s home office desk but he loses it in a minute. Actually, what’s more urgent now is to find a square feet of the floor to stand on!!! Argh!
“Jeremy drives unless he’s had a drink or we need to get someplace fast.” Neat! ;P
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Grace – ha ha, thank you. I just don’t have the time or patience to deal with wankers. No one should have to put up with bad behavior, right? :)
Catherine – thank you, you’re very sweet.
Mama Bear – thanks!
Paola – your English is delightful and you are so sweet for commenting. Thank you.
Graeme – oh hon, you are biased! Yes, I think they are saving the best for last and that means you will be reserved for that list. Now post some food for us!
Caitlin – thanks, dear!
Martin – I am so flattered! Thank you for such a kind comment. Readers like you make it all worthwhile.
Kelly – thank you. I hope you like the dip – it’s always a hit!
Culinarywannabe – well, Kaweah isn’t the brightest pup… but she’s quite strong. Thanks :)
Margie – cool, I love fireballs. But, I’ve only seen one or two in my life. Thanks!
Dragana – oh, you guys are all so biased! But thanks, it’s means a lot that so many loyal readers are rooting for urb!
Tara – you’re sweet – thank you.
JessW – oh no, thank YOU for reading. It’s the community that makes it so much fun.
Charlane – Tartelette, my home girl :) Obviously you had great taste from the get go!
Jennywenny – you are such a dear. Thank you.
Lezel – ha ha, I wouldn’t know HOW! hee hee.
Memoria – thank you!
Mary – it’s so geeky, no? :) thanks! The soup was happy-making to be sure.
Kathy O – oh yes! Homemade soup is so awesome when it’s snowing out!!
Kathy – yes, good men are few and far between. Life is good when you find a great partner to share life with :)
Rosa – such a sweetie, thank you! [PS I love your kitty – so adorable]
Courtney – thanks.
Laura – ha ha, glad that our geeky history can be endearing too!
Ruthie – thank you!
Jamie – woo! thanks and I hope you love that panna cotta!
Laura – wow, you really flatter me! Thank you.
Chez Us – love right back at ya, sweetie. xxoo
Bri – thank you :)
Jeanne – thanks so much.
PE – ohhh, you’ll have to take that up with the Times ;) I’m just ecstatic to be in the top #50!!
Sheryl – thanks, love! So glad that you still keep tabs over here! xxoo
Wei Yann – thanks! I’m a little jealous of you Californians… such great produce year-round and all of those amazing ethnic cuisines! *sigh*
Johanna – that is very kind of you, thank you!
Tartelette – if I rock, it might only be because I hang with cool kids like YOU :) xxoo
Jie – thank you, you are so sweet.
Anne – oh, that’s too bad :( I loved their brioche. Pasadena definitely evolved quite a bit… Thanks!
Julia – awww, thank you!
Katie – ha ha, I think Arnie is more famous than I! (he is certainly fluffier and cuter). Do the meme on your blog!! xxoo
Janet – thank you so much. Geeks rule! xxoo
Y – thank you!
Asianmommy – thanks :)
Farmerpam – thank you.
Rita – that’s very nice of you!
Mollie – it’s okay, we make up for it by giving her nice and soft pieces of raw beef which she summarily swallows without chewing. K-girl has “power jaws” as many a vet has stated. I get excited about the ziploc trick too ;) That distinction between computation and satellite imagery is important – just wait… one day you’ll come asking me about it all ;)
Lori – cool! It’s fun to get to know other bloggers :) and thanks!
Stephanie – thank you :)
Susan – you are such a treasure. You ARE very very talented, my love. It’s why I am always drooling when I leave YOUR site! xxoo
Lisa – you’re funny ;) No idea where the blog will be, but I always hope you’ll be along (to tell me where to eat when I’m in the bay area too!!) I’ll try pork sometime. Problem with ‘weah is that she makes a MESS when she eats just about anything. Ugh. Can you see a diff in the PJ on the flash? Glad you like it. Take more pics of that pretty girl of yours. Thanks!
Zoe – thank you!
Lily – awww, you’re very kind. I like the lego analogy b/c we both love legos!
Barbara – thanks sweetie.
Kat – thank you. I hope so too! Can a person run out of recipes?!
Aran – ha ha, I love how the pastry queens always swoon over the simple savory recipes :) xxoo
Stef – woohoo, rock jocks!! I’m not a formal geophysicist – more like a hybrid: tectonic geomorphology and satellite data and digital elevation models. Now you know my secret… I’m a dork ;)
Manisha – I know, I’m terrible about memes and getting tagged… This one looked funny though. Ah sweetie, you are biased! ha ha. Oh my, now there is another recipe to learn from you someday. Why don’t you just move in and let’s cook together? :) xxoo
Mrs. E – Now THAT is a great way to enjoy a bowl of soup! You are sweet, love. Having met you and other great readers/bloggers makes it all worthwhile. xxoo
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 am
“Who is more jealous
Neither one of us has ever been jealous of other people… But Jeremy does get upset when I ignore him in favor of the dog or when I accidentally call him Kaweah.”
i just busted out laughing and had to quickly minimize the window b/c the associate dean thought i was choking . . . i’m pretty sure we’ll be in the same situation when we finally get a dog
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 pm
[…] just wing it as I do when I make my chicken stock but then I stumbled upon a soup that Jen over at Use Real Butter made, which in turn stumbled me over to Susan at Sticky, Gooey, Creamy & Chewy. So I used […]
March 2nd, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Adrienne – yes, the pup does get lots of attention :) She can’t help it, she’s a dog! ha ha.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
That beef and barley soup looks really good!
March 8th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Kevin – thanks!
March 26th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
SQUOZEN??? Love the recipe, though.
March 28th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Babs – yup – a word that gets a decent amount of rotation around here.
August 24th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I had a lot of fun reading the meme. and it is so lucky of you both. congratulations!
May 7th, 2012 at 9:10 am
I’ve discovered your blog only today…and I said to myself that I’ve really missed a lot…I love your photos, your recipes and all! :)will cook the soup and most of the other recipes…I live in Milan, Italy, used to work in fashion, but I got married and I now I stay home and cook and cook and cook if you need some italian recipe of any kind I will readily share it with you, just let me know…