poor kitty

this is the kitty, in his natural state. he surveys the neighborhood, making sure every person, cat and chihuahua stay in line.

some evil cat thwarted kitty in his pursuit of neighborhood order and did this to him:


so for the past 10 days, our lives have revolved around him and this, which altogether need to be administered 6 times daily:


but kitty is on his way to recovery, thanks in part, no doubt to the prayers and thoughts of his supporters all over the state! i'll post some pictures of his repaired eye soon!

little thanksgiving

the guests:

the meal:

getting ready to eat:

mmmm...

kitchen carnage:

brophy watching jealously:

happy thanksgiving!

i love carbs

two excellent easy pasta sauces...

balsamic sauce:

3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 handfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, a couple of handfuls

heat a skillet over medium low to medium heat, add butter to the pan and let it begin to brown. When the butter has browned, add cooked pasta to the pan and turn in butter to heat through. Add balsamic vinegar to the pasta and cook a minute or 2 longer to reduce the vinegar and glaze the pasta. The vinegar will become thick and syrup like. Add cheese, parsley, salt and pepper to the pasta and remove the pan from the heat.

goat cheese sauce:

3 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

5 ounces (small log) of soft goat cheese (chevre), crumbled (note, this cheese cost half as much at trader joes as at vons--same brand and everything. this cheese is very versatile, so i've started keeping it in supply.)

whatever herbs you have, optional

in a medium bowl, combine butter and cheese and half a cup of reserved pasta water. add salt and pepper, whisk until smooth, toss with pasta and whatever meat, veggies or herbs you wish/have on hand...

skinny jeans

i think one new pair of jeans a year is a must, at minimum. i bought three last year (all from marshalls and all three worth $100 each and totalled to less than that--i've got to get back there soon) and ended up only really liking one, and not loving it, because i had them hemmed a hair too short, so i can't wear them with heels, which is just as well, because i prefer flats. when i bought them, i attempted to try on some skinny jeans, but just wasn't ready to take the plunge. i work with teenagers, and though you can take fashion cues from them, i really don't want to copy them. but this year, this year i'm ready. it's ironic, because i distinctly remember the day i dared UN-pegging my pants and wearing straight legs (8th grade), then the first time i bought flares (sophomore year in college). they were acts of bravery i tell you. and the fashion has come full circle.

i haven't been able to find the camera for the past few days, so this picture from the website will have to do. anyhoo, i love them. they're comfortable, and what saves them from the horridness of previous narrow legged jeans and keeps them flattering is the low waist, (which isn't uncomfortable because of the fashion gods' gift of long shirts) and they are a wee bunchy in the ankle and not completely skin tight.

also the first pair of jeans i've ever ordered online (i don't have much time to shop these days--if it's not at the old navy or target by my house, i probably won't buy it...) and for the record, they're AE Skinny 77 Stretch Jean Dark Rinsed WashStyle: 0431-798899% Cotton, 1% Spandex from American Eagle. which, if i had to get a pair of jeans from there, it would by necessity be online, because i can't stand how loud they play the music in that store, which along with the moral victory of buying and wearing skinny jeans, is another sign that i am old.