Kitty's Scratch Pad

Nishino Turns 10!!!

We had the honor of being invited to Nishino's 10th Anniversary Party last Sunday.  Along with recognition of the dedication and insane attention to detail that both Tatsu and Eri have had over the past ten years, it was also a sneak peak at Tasting Menu's newest cookbook created for Nishino.  The cookbook is amazing.  The response was incredible.  The photos are mouthwatering, the design is stunning and everyone who came to look was impressed.  For the second time, tastingmenu.publishing has put together a piece of art that is filled with hyper-detailed, step-by-step, mouthwatering recipes.  Nicely done.

Nishino has been a staple on the "where to go eat" list for sometime - even longer for the Tasting Menu crew.  I am grateful for every meal we eat there as it truly is an experience.

Great Job to both Tatsu and Eri on 10 successful years - I can't wait for the 20th!!

Too much!!!

Average day...

5:40am - Smash snooze button once before dragging ass and eventually crawling on the 6:25am No2 Metro Bus.

6:45am - Order Grande Americano from SBUX

7:00am - Begin work

9:00am - Morning huddle with team

9:30am to 4:00pm - Prep for client meeting, create new marketing piece, have another meeting about a meeting, distinguish fires, sales meetings, phone calls, staff meetings, read through hundreds of email, more meetings and oh yea...did I mention one more meeting?

4:00pm to 5:45pm - The window of opportunity to rush from work to catch my bus home

6:00pm - Pick up the booger

6:20pm to 11:00pm - Do homework for CFP, review homework and take-home items for Fen, study more, make dinner, pack lunch for Fen, lay out clothes, do dishes, go grocery shopping, arrange play-dates, clean clothes, more studying, get the booger to bed, more studying, check alarm for next morning and get ready to do it all over again!

I cannot WAIT until this test is OVER!!!!!

A Seagul on a Seagul

We saw this at the science center a couple weeks ago...  I found it quite funny.

Birthday Party

We celebrated Fen's birthday at the Science Center last weekend.  They have a pretty sweet deal.  For up to 20 kiddies you get all the decorations, cake, science demonstration (we made rockets), and they send you the invitations.  In addition, each kid gets free entrance for the rest of the day to the exhibits.  As a part of the science demonstration, the kids get to watch the scientist make ice-cream out of liquid nitrogen.  They loved it!  After the party we cruised through the exhibits and then watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at IMAX.  It was a total flop...  I usually enjoy Tim Burton's imagination but he missed this one by miles.  It really makes you appreciate the original film given how long ago it was made.  It also makes you appreciate the fact that Gene Wilder is irreplaceable...

Photos Here

First Day of School

We survived our first day of second grade and it only took three days to get on the school bus.  We had initially been on the wrong side of the street.  He doesn't have the nicest driver but apparently she is great with the kids. 

Moths

I discovered our new friends the other day in the pantry.  I have now declared war.  Any grain unopened or opened had been infested.  I completely cleaned out the cupboard and threw away all items in question.  I have been told any items kept should be put in the freezer in order to kill the larvae.  The thought of keeping anything makes me ill.  Chalk it  up to an expensive lesson.  We will no longer buy grains in bulk.  We found some very reasonable storage containers at Ikea.  We probably spent half of what we would have using Tupperware.  At some point it might be nice to upgrade but this seemed like the cheapest and fastest solution.  I wiped down the cabinet with vinegar and sprayed cedar inside to kill off any pests.  I also bought cedar planks to put in the corner of each shelf.  I would like to refrain from using anything caustic near food areas.  From what I have read it will take a week to allow the cycle to finish - I am hoping that is the end of it. 

Bugs are gross!

Bulbs

I put together a list of bulbs we are thinking about for next year.  I haven't done this before and I have to say, it was pretty fun shopping.  The list is lengthy and I do not think we plan to do it all.  My theory was to go through the catalogues and first pick out anything that was aesthetically pleasing.  The next step is to determine if they even grow in our zone.  Then I want to plot out what blooms when and whether they are shade or sun lovers.  After that we can map out the garden.  My hope is to have flowers all season long...  Here is the preliminary list.

Bulbs 2005

Tulips

Daffodils

Crocus

Paperwhites - for the Holidays

Parade

Dreamlight

Blue Bird

Jerusalem

Apeldoorn

Dallas

Zwaneburg

Nazereth

Blushing Lady

Milan

Ladykiller

Ziva

Ballerina

Actaea

Goldilocks

Acuminata

Pheasant's eye

Picturatus

Random Stuff

Clusiana 'Cynthia'

Suave

Zantedeschia Childsiana

Alba Coerulea Oculata

Thalia

Fritillaria

Schilla bifolia rosea

Turkestanica

Meleagris

Emporor Mixture - great for cut flowers :-)

Chionodoxa

Imperialis Aurora

Kaufmanniana Type

Gigantea alba

Michailowskyhi

Ice Stick

Humilis Violacea

Galanthus

Little Princess

Ikariae

Cream Jewel

White Dream

Mona Lisa

Bulgaricum

Cowanii

Triquetrum