Ants

I hate ants. I hate them with a visceral deep-down sort of rage that makes me see red every time a tiny black insect marches into my kitchen from a crack at the bottom of the screen door. I hate them, and I smite them with copious amounts of Raid.

Smiting makes me feel happy. Thanks, Mom.

Swiffer

Every morning after breakfast, I sweep my kitchen floor and then wash it. My kitchen floor has never been so clean.

I heart my Swiffer Wet-Jet. That is all.

In case you were wondering, these extra-short entries are because I have one corporate web site due on Monday and one weblog overhaul due next Saturday--not to mention the illustration gig I'm negotiating and the one that I am still considering for a bid.

Beef Tacos

Ingredients

  • 3 lb beef chuck roast, ground coarse
  • 2 medium onions (yellow or sweet), diced
  • 1 8 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 C water
  • 2 Tb paprika
  • 2 Tb cumin
  • 1 Tb chili powder (medium or hot)
  • 1 Tb Mexican oregano
  • 1 Tb salt
  • 4 ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1/4 head iceberg lettuce, chiffonade
  • 1 lb cheddar cheese, grated
  • 2 packages hard taco shells or
  • 2 packages soft taco shells
  • sour cream
  • taco sauce

Tools and utensils

  • 1 large pot or Dutch oven
  • spoon
  • cookie tray
  • bowls for fillings

Procedure

  1. Brown the ground beef and onion in the large pot until the beef is fully cooked and the onions are beginning to carmelize. Drain if necessary.
  2. Add tomato paste, seasonings, salt, and water; stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium. Cook over medium heat until most of the water has evaporated and the ingredients have fully combined, about 15 minutes.
  3. While the taco meat finishes cooking, prepare the fillings and bake the taco shells according to package directions.

Serving suggestions

Serve buffet-style for large parties. Make sure to provide a wide variety of taco and hot sauces.

Drenched

Marcus and Becca and I ate lunch at Panera Bakery while William and Maryanne did their thing at Borders. Maryanne and I bought coffee to drink once we got back to the house; it was grey and overcast outside, with a slight drizzle, so the hot coffee would be welcome after our short walk back to the house. I zipped and Velcro-ed and snapped the children into their raincoats, donned my own, and started herding them towards the door.

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