Pop Waffle's Guide to Halloween

Victory Garden

So, I was flipping through a recent issue of Oprah mag and I came across a fantastic idea. What, you don't subscribe to Oprah? You totally should. It is way more positive than other glossies and with the exception of the front page, letter from the editor, and the last page, there isn't a lot of Oprah in it.

That's all besides the point.

I was reading an article about cooking for one* or maybe it was about sustainable kitchen behaviors but in it, the author recommended that you save your produce scraps -- onion skins, root veggie stubs, leafy greens -- in the freezer and then you can make a stock. Like Carl Weathers ("You got yourself a stew!").

So I've been saving up all the dribs and drabs. And... well, I also bought one of those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store. And that carcass got added to the pot, too.

Last night, I finally made the stock. And it just made my house smell like fall. I let it boil away for a few hours, adding more water, a bit of salt, some rosemary I found kicking around, and I just felt... so adult. And frugal. And green.

On the menu for the weekend: making risotto. With my stock. Making rice. With my stock. Crafting cooked starches. With my stock.





*hello, men folk! I subscribe to Oprah, blog, watch a lot of crappy TV, and read articles about cooking for one.

Odd Sleep Patterns

So I've been awake for over an hour and instead of fretfully trying to fall back asleep, I figured I would use this time to write a cover letter for a job I'm already doing but don't officially have... yet. I hope.

Fall is here but in true DC fashion, the lovely temperate days are mixed in with some extra summer temps that September just can't seem to shake. I'm all for sundresses, but for just a little bit, I would like to wear them with boots instead of flip flops, kthxbi.

When I moved to my new place (have to pass grocery store on way home) about a month and a half ago, I figured my home cooking rate would shoot through the roof. It has not. I also have to walk past an empanda joint. These things may or may not be related.

It is time for a fall haircut but can't decide whether I should go side swept bangs that are probs totes better for my face shape or straight across because I didn't get to enjoy them enough before sweltering summer.

Boooooots

If I own these boots in black, am I allowed to buy them in gray or red?

Either would make my Renn Fest costume pop.

The childhood film references continue

So I cut my hair at the very end of spring and finally achieved the heavy bangs that I wanted. And right before graduation, too. Very gutsy of me. But then summer came and brought with it THE HEAT. And since I am always hotter than everyone else in normal situations, I'm especially sticky in the summer, forcing me to pin back my bangs for the majority of the summer.

Today, I decided it was temperate enough for my forehead to have some coverage so I straightened my forehead curtain.

All of this to say that I strongly resemble Peg from Lady and the Tramp.



And a trim might be in order.

Disney Sunday

I may or may not have just brushed my hair with a fork a la Ariel.

This is why I'm fat

I try to cook for one and this is what happens.

So much tasty, so much.

Single Girl Menu

I've been single long enough now that I eat whatever I want, gas be damned. Also, I'm moving so I don't have a whole lot of options. Menu of choice the past few days: hard boiled eggs with balsamic vinaigrette and pesto.

And sometimes, I skip the eggs.

Direction

So, the posting here has been light. And that is in direct proportion to how HEAVY my summer has been in terms of stress. Starting back on 3 April, I've been in Australia for a few weeks, came back just in time for a 4 day conference in Philadelphia, graduate, move, job hunt, have landlord issues, job hunt issues, and will be moving again and probably losing full time employment in the coming month. Not because I'm getting fired but because my work is just kinda piecemeal right now. So, yeah, feeling a bit less pithy that I normally do.

However, for the month of August, I will be doing more content writing for Oceana and I would love it if you checked it out over here. Of course, my last name will now be eternally liked to rizado, but alas, tis my fate. If things calm down, perhaps I'll come back here for more quips, but for the time being, my writing energies are focused where the dollar dollar bills are- work.

Recession Shopping

I will have to take photos of my other amazing finds, but for starters, I got this beauty for $25. Find of the century. Go Nana.

To come- amazing apron skirt, maxi dress of my dreams, recycled tote, and best bowl this side of heaven.

Retail therapy, I <3 you.