Random Thoughts and Cooking Awards

I was tagged for this six random thoughts meme from Kathryn at Smoky Mountain Cafe and Pamela at Cookies with Boys.

Here I share six random things about myself (don't I do that everyday?), and pass on the meme to six others.

1. I had over sixty extra units when I got my Bachelor's degree. The problem is that I love so many things: nutrition, Spanish literature, Romance philology, advertising, educational psychology, sociology, English, botany, organizational theory, humanities, world religions, legal research... Those sixty extra units come in handy when you're playing Jeopardy and also for homeschooling.

2. I'm a puzzle lover: crossword, sudoku, cryptograms, Rubik's cube, even jigsaw.

3. I ran a marathon a couple of years ago (ow-ooh-my aching feet) and try to run at least a half marathon yearly. I wake up almost every morning wanting to skip my run, but then I feel on top of the world when I'm done.

4. When someone describes a movie as boring, it's almost a sure bet that I'm going to love it. Stuffy old English drawing room cinema is right up my alley.

5. I have severe wanderlust. If I hadn't had children, I might have become a gypsy. Now I want to be a mother gypsy. I'm always scheming my next trip.

6. I wish I could be more like my husband. He's quiet and noble and admirable and true and unflinching, and never ever puts his foot in his mouth or yells at his children. The amazing thing is that he likes me the way I am, noisy, moody, fickle and hopelessly imperfect.

Now, as for the Blog Awards: I had a lucky week! I'm the proud recipient of three sparkling new awards (see sidebar). There are so many excellent and lovely food blogs out there that I will have no problem sharing the love. Except, I'll do it slowly, over the next few weeks. And in a cruel twist of fate, I'm assigning these newly awarded blogs the random meme assignment from above and the music meme assignment below. Every rose has a thorn, they say. I'll start with the Brilliante Bog Award from Pamela.

1. Shannon at Writing As I Eat: Shannon is a cooking contest buddy and we've been at Pillsbury and National Chicken together. I haven't seen her in a while, which means I should get busy and enter some contests. She's witty and clever and very down to earth, even though she's a superstar in the kitchen.

2. The Hungry Housewife: The name alone one puts me in a good mood. Housework makes me hungry and being a housewife might sound frumpy, but not so with her. She's gorgeous and silly and you could bet you'd never leave her house hungry.

3. Aggie's Kitchen: One of my go to comfy blogs of choice. Aggie makes real people food that is eminently eatable and always beautiful.

4. Cookie Madness: You've probably already been there, but it bears repeating. Anna (another cooking contest buddy that hit the BIG time at Pillsbury) makes a yummy treat just about daily, plus shares tidbits of wisdom and humour. If I had a baking question, I'd probably ask Anna first.

5. Cat's Pajamas: You'll love reading about her lip licking recipes, plus life with her hardworking military husband sounds pretty idyllic, too.

6. Grandma's Kitchen: Kayte could be at the pool all day, watching her athlete sons beat the speedos off all the other kids. When she's done cheering, she comes in and whips up comfy hearty food that could make champs out of all of us.

7. Sophie at Flour Arrangements: Sophie is every bit as sweet as her original recipes. Her spoon full-of-sugar ways make it a literal and figurative treat to visit her blog.

Also, Sophie tagged me for a Music meme, which I'm also passing on to the newly minted award winners above. I'm not savvy (not to mention cool) enough to put on an ipod or youtube link on here, but I bet you've already heard all my summer favorites anyway.

1. Bob Marley-Stir It Up

2. The Beatles-Here Comes the Sun

3. Dean Martin- Good Morning Life

4. Jimmy Durante-As Time Goes By (in honor of my summer anniversary)

5. Van Morrison-Brown Eyed Girl

6. Go Gos- Vacation

Coming Tomorrow:

My 100th Post-Prudy's Greatest Hits

Food and Furthermore IX: Blog Award and Meme Assignments

HolyToledo-we had almost 4000 visitors last week to Prudence Pennywise! Keep coming and don't forget to tell your rabbi, pastor, bishop, and non-denominational religious advisor. Share the love.
Quiet down class. I'm assigning some meme work. That's right-assigning. Tagging sounds way too easy to get out of, like a school yard game that you can dodge with a quick sashay to the right. I love memes because I'm really nosy. I eavesdrop at ball games, peek in people's carts at the market, and read the notes that people write in the margins of books. I love (most) people and find them infinitely fascinating, with the exception of my undergrad Spanish poetry professor, quite possibly the most boring individual on planet earth. I really believe he could force a clock to move backwards just by the droning of his voice. But other than him, I'm fascinated and enthralled by my fellow members of the human race. So I'm assigning my memes to four of my favorite people, who also happen to be my sisters. (I'd assign memes to all my sisters, but they don't all have blogs.) Maybe I already know their answers, but I doubt it, since they are exciting and unpredictable foxy ladies. I just said "foxy"for the first time since 1978.Plus, they are ever so much more smart and clever, much more fun, and much much prettier than me and they wear much smaller jeans, just to rub it all in. If I weren't so busy trying to be like them, I'd probably hate them.

So Leslie at Little Rieta

Heidi at The Renouf Family

Catherine at Living the Good Life (closed blog so maybe she could post on Heidi's?)

Mary Kate at Telles A Story

and one extra...my seven year old sunshine daughter at Little Girl on the Go

***To complete your meme assignment, copy the questions HERE, erase my answers and plug in your responses. No cheating and this test is timed.

Furthermore, I'm passing on the Yum Yum Blog award to the following five dee-lish foodie blogs. If all goes well, they'll post the award and pass it on to five more. If all goes poorly, I'll need you to contact my attorney.

Kahakai Kitchen makes you wish you could move to Hawaii, then move in with Deb and beg her to make you all her good food. Although she's so nice, you probably wouldn't even have to beg.

Meet Me in the Kitchen has all kinds of yummy food that's comfy enough to feed your family and elegant enough to impress the neighbors.

A Year at Oak Cottage serves up daily inspiration, gorgeous photos, and life's lessons along with yummy recipes.

My Sister's Cucina showcases just the kind of food you wish you could eat with your sister, late at night in the kitchen.

Smoky Mountain Cafe shares generously a plethora of exciting recipes-check out all of her many marinades.

Coming Tomorrow:

Lightened up Whole Wheat Zucchini Pineapple Bread

Easiest and Best and Creamiest and Dreamiest Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Scroll down for a "Meme Tag" from Jersey Girl at the bottom of my post...
Just went proofreading through this post-yikes-forgive the earlier errors! I hope everyone had a Firecracker, Firecracker, Sis-Boom-Bah Fourth of July! We spent our holiday with our good friends the "O" family. My friend, Mrs. O (Stephanie), brought over her ice cream maker and a luscious but oh-so easy recipe for no cook vanilla ice cream. Her ice cream maker is apparently on its last leg. While churning out the delicious frozen confection, it moaned and wailed like a calf being separated from his mama. I didn't even know ice cream makers could do that. I'm glad it had at least a little spunk left in it, or I wouldn't have been able to tell you about this super recipe.

Since this recipe has no eggs, you won't have to cook it or strain it. You can mix it up right in the freezing container, so no extra dishes. But ease is not its only charm. I've made a lot of easy no-cook vanilla ice creams before, but this is the first one that is truly creamy. It was so creamy and good, that I'm making it again tonight for a party. Quiet Man is having his coworkers and families over for swimming and a BBQ. The festivities continue!

Stephanie's Easy Vanilla Ice Cream

Estimated Cost: $4.50

Notes: I think I finally understand why most people claim vanilla as their favorite flavor.

2 (14 ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk

2 cups whipping cream

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

6-8 cups milk (Stephanie used 2 percent)

In the freezing container from your ice cream maker, combine condensed milk, cream, and vanilla. Add milk just to fill line and stir again. Process according to manufacturer's instruction.

Coming All Week Long:

What to do when your gentleman/cowboy neighbor drops off this:

Lisa, my blogging buddy at Jersey Girl tagged me with this meme! I'll pass on the tag this week sometime.

1) LAST MOVIE U SAW IN A THEATRE? Indiana Jones, for old time’s sake. Besides Marion is my favorite heroin. She’s got spunk and sass. No wonder Indy went for her in the end.
2) WHAT BOOK ARE U READING? Just finished Berg’s A Year of Pleasures
3) FAVORITE BOARD GAME? Scrabble, Battle Ship and 221 B Baker Street
4) FAVORITE MAGAZINE? I’ve been getting Bon Appetit since I was a teenager.
5) FAVORITE SMELLS? Honeysuckle, clean laundry with Tide and Downy, grilled steak, fresh basil, garlic warmed in olive oil…
6) FAVORITE SOUNDS? The “thwack” when you sink your knife into watermelon, my kids on violin and piano, my husband and my little boy singing-since they don't do it very often, Christmas Carols after Thanksgiving, church bells, a windstorm

7) TELL ME ABOUT FOOD. Do you have to ask? That’s what the blog is for.
8) WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN U WAKE? How much can I get done before 8 AM?

9) FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE? Just Café Rio. But, I’ve also been known to steal McDonald’s fries from the kids, if they are very hot and fresh.
10) FUTURE CHILD'S NAME? I love Clementine and Wellesley for a girl. I like Thoreau or Walden for a boy. I think I better get some pets.
11) FINISH THIS STATEMENT—’IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I’D......sign my kids up for more lessons, get going on a PH.d, and travel all over the world
12) DO U DRIVE FAST? Sometimes. If I’m late. Please don't tell Quiet Man.
13) DO U SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL? Heavens, no. I need lots and lots of personal space.
14) STORMS–COOL OR SCARY? Get out the butter and flour. I love storms and look forward to baking through them. I also love to get my hair wet in the rain. Boy, did I get in trouble in the fourth grade from Mrs. Cook for doing just that outside the classroom below the rain gutter.
15) WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR? 1988 convertible Renault Alliance, not really mine but my sister and I got to drive it.
16) FAVORITE DRINK? Icy water. Lots and lots of ice.

17) FINISH THIS STATEMENT-IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD…Take up another instrument. Brush up on my French. Clean out the closets. Paint my toenails.
18) DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI? It depends on my level of indolence for the day. I have to peel them first.
19) IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY OTHER COLOUR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE? I’m a dark brunette. I like it a bit light in the summer and darker in the winter. I wish I didn't have to dye it at all, but between you and me, there's a bit of gray peeking out every so often.
20) NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS U HAVE LIVED IN? How about states or countries? California, Hawaii, Utah, Israel, Chile, New York.
21) FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I’d rather play than watch.
22) ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Lisa has a great blog with tons of delicious food, and she’s very encouraging and supportive.

23) WHATS UNDER YOUR BED? Wrapping paper and ribbons.
24) WOULD U LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN? Yes, unless I could be my daughter. She lives a charmed life and she's smart enough to realize it. Want to see why? Check out her blog Little Girl on the Go
25) MORNING PERSON OR NIGHT OWL? Both. But I wish I could take a nap.
26) OVER EASY OR SUNNY SIDE UP? With good toasted bread.
27) FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX? By any water.
28) FAVORITE PIE? Mixed berry, apple streusel, pumpkin-ginger
29) FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Thin mint Girl Scout cookie, Rocky Road, mint chip, the homemade vanilla above