One of Los Angeles’ best kept secrets is the happy little gang that sells flowers outside of a certain 711. And NO, I cannot divulge the location, I already GAVE you a hint. Anyway, they have the freshest, prettiest, most inexpensive flowers in all the land. They come packaged in these humongous bouquets which are so big that from one, I fill every vase in my house and still have plenty of leftover stems for the bathrooms and such.

So, whenever Chris comes home carrying one of these most desirable bundles (which to his maaad flower cred, is all the time), its a big moment here in the Bell house. Me with the ooh!’s and holycow!’s and Max the Hammer and Babaganoosh with their very own pieces that don’t make the cut stashing them all over the house for later use. When all is said and done, our person and our place is totally ensconced in flowers. After we finish doing whatever the hell it is we do, we all collapse in the livingroom totally strung out on nature. Hippies, I sware.

{tags weekend cat blogging cute kitty}

In an ongoing effort to create more interesting accompaniments that do not involve rice or potatos, I came up with this hot little number yesterday. The flavor is both mild and savory, the insides perfectly tender, and a lightly crispy exterior all make for wonderful little bite-sized treats. Sprinkle on some Maldon

and viola, your in business! These were most delicious cold the next day too.

Cut the couliflower into 2-3″ pieces, cover with water, add 1 ts salt and boil untill soft enough to mash with a fork. Drain and let cool in a collander.

Mash with a masher of your choice, I used a large wooden spork by stabbing at it with a murderous rage for about 5 minutes. Once your certain it’s dead, stir in the remaining ingredients to include the other 1/2 ts salt. Note: If the mixture looks too moist, sprinkle in some more flour.

Heat about 1/2″ – 3/4″ oil in a pan and then use a teaspoon to drop imperfect little mounds into the oil. Cook a few minutes on each side untill firm and golden then drain off excess oil onto paper towels. I set the oven on 200°F to keep them warm and hidden from husbands on kitchen patrol while I finished them off. Note: Cauliflower doesn’t really bite, I was just kidding about that. < -- such bad humor runs in the family, it can't be helped.

{tags yummy cauliflower recipe}

I had to brag to everyone about how I have the cutest hamster on earth. On and on I went and now I’m going to have to explain how I’m a TERRIBLE hamster mom. The worste.

This morning I woke up and went about my morning rituals of lovingly handing young Sergei a veggie treat. You know what’s coming, I thought he was just sleeping snug like a bug, but he was already in hamster heaven. Why didn’t I see the signs? What happenned?!

It’s true what Chris said, he was just to good for this world. RIP Sergei, you were loved.

{tags siberian dwarf hamsters sergei}

At Myspace offices shooting the breeze with Chris. Damnit, I need you HERE Chuck Norris! It’s still unclear what type of business he’s conducting there but I do hear that he: a) Counted to infinity – twice. and b) No longer sleeps, he waits.

There are roughly 500,000 people protesting right now in downtown in addition to something filming on my block. All of this has been relentlessly tampering with my daily SOP*.

I work on Saturdays all alone, so when I get restless, I forward the netops phones to my cell and run down to Starbucks on Figueroa. It’s a block down so if anyone calls I just pretend I’m in the datacenter, put them on hold, run back to work and am at my desk computing and at your service licketysplit. Man, today though there is so much going on. After I attended the immigration reform protest, I had to stop and watch some drama unfold on a FOX pilot called Primary.

Which, according to the production crew it’s the riveting story of ‘A pair of hostage negotiators trying to resist their budding attraction to each other while tending to the task at hand.’ Hot! Hot! Hot! Look for me crossing the street some time this season on FOX, I’ll be the one with a bad attitude and a grande sugar-free caramel latte no foam. Please for the love of god, no foam! Peace to the middle east people, I’m exhausted.

*Thats Standard Operation Procedure and I’m using acronyms because I’m at work and thats what us techie types do as much as humanly possible.

{tags fox pilots immigration reform chuck norris myspace}

{tags the magnificent dr. chen absynth dentists}

I went to get kittyfood, s’all. I blame World Peace Hamster.

Weekend Hamster Blogging anyone? Aww c’mon!

{tags siberian dwarf hamsters sergei}

I know virtually *nothing* about what makes a real cowboy tick. I grew up on the east coast and now I live in Los Angeles. The only times I’ve been elsewhere in the states are gas stations and Dennys’ while driving from one coast to another. A few years ago some friends and I noticed an emerging phenomenon in northeastern cities that we called “The Black City Cowboy”, but that was the last I saw or heard of any modernday cowboys untill recently. I know, I know, the Brokeback thing has been blogged to death, and I wouldn’t even mention it, if not for the strapping gents I spent Friday with.

It turns out cowboys do exist, a fine group indeed, and now I’ve seen it first hand. From what I understand, they hunt wild boar with machete-looking knives and blood thirsty dogs that wear kevlar vests and thick wide leather collars (to protect their jugulars, no kidding I saw pictures – lots of them). These cowboy’s hats have the inside rims autographed by tougher, more badass, hardcore-Texas cowboys than themselves and they say things like “up yonder” even when refering to a server row in a datacenter in downtown LA.

When looking for something to do in Hollywood, these cowboys base their activities upon the proximity of Hooters and strip clubs to their target destinations and are not afraid to say so (props?). They chew tobacco, which for the record, is the most disgusting thing I’ve ever seen (no props!). Their heterosexuality is worn like a badge; it’s part of how they identify themselves in the world. Their smooth ways with the ladies, the bare-handed hunting capabilities, and fancy cowboy boots, belts, and hats. I’m not judgin’, I’m just sayin’.

It should be noted that because of the items outlined above, they do not like Brokeback Mountain jokes. Which is, as expected, totally irresistable to this most opportunist population here in southern California. And understandably so, ain’t often we get them types in these parts – talk about a minority. So please, if you see one in the wild, just don’t go there. It’s completely uncomfortable to everyone within earshot. Specifically, don’t say something like “You are so awesome, I might have to get all Brokeback on you!”. Okay? Just don’t.

Ps. Proir to Friday, I thought it was just people in love with jesus who said things like “God made adam and eve, not adam and steve”, not Cowboys – my ears are still bleeding and I apogize if your eyes are now too. At least nobody went ahead and suggested the Gay Rodeo while they’re in town. I think I would have died of awkwardness right there on the spot, plus I don’t think theres a Hooters nearby anyway.

Pss. I think the reason chewing tobacco is so gross is that when one picks up a cup, our innocent brains think the obvious, a sip will be taken. But instead the cup is spit into, adding to the what you now realize is an already present black slimy refuse in the bottom of the cup. Then you can’t help but think, how sickenning if a sip were to be taken. Oh the horror. The life altering horror.

{tags cowboys hooters wild boar}

{tags lists pigeons}

What’s that your thinking, 1992 called? They want their Poppers back? Ha ha hah, very funny. Keep it up kid and it’s Bloomin’ Onions for you next time!

So, I was craving Chilli Relleno all week but something like that is best left to a professional. I needed cheesy and spicy, and I needed it yesterday. I fetched myself a big bag of jalapenos the other day, and I always have panko and cheese on hand. Now, dear friends, have a looksee where my craving and a bag of hot peppers took me.

To a crunchy cheesy peppery land where jalapenos and panko live together in per-fect har-mon-eee. Side by side …lalala …piano keyboard ….ohlord ….lalah …weeeee.

{tags jalapeno panko recipe}

, kapow!

{tags weekend cat blogging cute kitty}