Archive (week of 12.16.01):

12.19.01 (wednesday)

My cat hates me.

Okay, maybe 'hate' is a little strong. "Holding a grudge the size of a rottweiler" might be more accurate.

Let me give you a short explanation: B is allergic to cats, I live with B, therefore, miss cat had to go live at dad's house. It's really not as bad as it sounds. She gets to run around, chase small rodents and reptiles or sleep in the sun all day. Sounds great, right? The catch is that she isn't allowed in the house.

Really, I can't blame her. I'd be pissed too if I had removed myself from my cozy little apartment, crammed myself into a cat carrier, and then deposited myself in Dad's backyard with no chance of being indoors ever again (or at least not for a long time). I understand the grudge, I really do. And still, she punishes me.

I go visit her, and this is what happens: I go outside and she's nowhere to be found. Parents repeatedly say, "She's always out there, I wonder where she is!". Half an hour passes and miss cat appears and struts across the deck. I go outside to greet her, and she comes towards me, like she's happy to see me. I crouch down to pet her, and she backs away. I try to walk after her and she walks away faster, this time growling the pissed off cat growl. The deep, guttural cat growl, the one that means if I were another cat, she'd probably be kicking my arse right about now. So I let her wander off, and I go in the house. About half an hour later, she's sitting at the screen door, mewing because she wants to come in. I know if I go out there, the whole walking, crouching, growling thing will start again. So I sit and talk to her through the screen door, very nearly in tears because my cat hates me. And then the dog knocks me over because she wants my attention. So I forget about the cat for a while.

I'm hoping this is a temporary grudge. Maybe next time I go visit, it'll only be the size of a 6 month old rottweiler. And eventaully we'll work our way down to a puppy, and then maybe that grudge will finally just run away and find a new home. Then I won't have to talk to her through the screen door and she won't walk away, because she'll get over it and my cat will like me again.

12.18.01 (tuesday)

Because I have nothing really to say at the moment and because I've been meaning to post this for ages...I present to you:

Mum's Clam Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
3T Olive oil
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
chopped onion (I usually use half of a white onion)
2 or 3T of white wine
2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 Cup clam juice (from the can)
2T Italian parsley
1 can minced clams
salt & freshly ground pepper

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:
1/4lb - 1/2lb uncooked prawns
Chopped tomatoes
bell pepper (red, yellow or orange)

WHAT TO DO:
Heat olive oil in large skillet. Sauté garlic and onion (and bell pepper, if using) until the onions start to get slightly soft (3 to 4 minutes or so). Add the wine, simmer until it evaporates. Add oregano. Add clam juice, simmer for 2 minutes (this is also when you should add the prawns and tomatoes, if you're using them). Add clams and parsley and simmer for another 30 seconds. Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve over linguine or other long pasta (spaghetti, etc).

I don't usually use all of the optional ingredients. Most of the time I add the prawns. Tonight I added the bell pepper (first time I tried adding it, and it turned out pretty good). Last time I added tomatoes, because I happened to have some. This recipe goes pretty fast. I usually start the sauce a few minutes after I've put the pasta in to boil. And I usually use a big skillet for the sauce and then throw the pasta in there and toss everything together, as opposed to putting the pasta on plates (or in bowls, your preference), and then spooning the sauce over.
Parmesan cheese is not necessary, but it doesn't hurt.

If you'd like to print this out, I've put a zipped pdf here.

12.17.01 (monday)

Happy Birthday to Miss Pea! I hope you had a lovely day!

12.16.01 (sunday)