Corn Chowder

Corn Chowder

1 pkg of bacon

1 onion

2-3 clove garlic

2 carrot

8 russet potatoes

1 can vegetable broth

2 can whole kernel corn

2 can creamed corn

1 quart heavy whipping cream

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh sage

Tabasco to taste

cayenne pepper

Cut bacon in to diced cubes. Put in large pot and cook until done. Cut onion into 1/8 inch dice. Add to bacon and cook until caramelized, using the bacon fat. Smash 2-3 cloves of garlic with knife and add to pot. Salt. Cube potatoes and carrots and add to pot. Pour in can of vegetable stock. Bring to simmer and cook covered until potatoes are tender. Taste for seasonings, add salt when needed.

Season with Tabasco liberally and with cayenne pepper. Add cans of corn and slowly incorporate the cream. Bring to a simmer. Taste for season. Add more salt, pepper, tabasco or cayanne as needed. Rough chop the sage and add before serving.

Notes: Remember the onion chopping technique. It is also vital that you taste every step of the way. If it doesn't taste good, that means something is missing, and it needs to be seasoned better. Also remember to always use different cutting boards for meat and veggies. We don't want transference of bacteria. This would be wonderful served in a bread bowl or with toasted garlic bread to dip in the soup. Enjoy!

Oh, isn't that just touching...

Recently I've noticed a disturbing and completely destructive trend beginning here at BYU. For some reason people are no long comfortable touching each other, even at those times when touching is most appropriate. As if . . . it were wrong or something. It makes absolutely no sense. Indulge me as I explore this issue in a little bit of detail.

The following is an excerpt from a conversation that I recently had. While the conversation may contain some specific points just for the person involved, the general idea is one that I've had with so many. Please note that I have changed the name of the girl to protect her identity.

Zelba: He says he feels he needs to learn how to build a friendship with a woman first...and see if he is ready for another relationship then. His last serious relationship was 8 months and apparently went really slow. Then he got really scared after a little fling with this girl last November. In his terms, it was "too physical." Basically, he's confused on what he wants.

Ottis: oh dear...

Zelba: He was planning on dating around and easing back into things...

Ottis: Hmm. I think some guys here are WAY too cautious. Its not like holding hands constitutes a future marriage, nor does it make you slutty. It just kills me.

Zelba: I know. It drives me crazy too.

Ottis: There is nothing wrong with being physical, as long as its appropriate physical, innocent physical.

Zelba: I agree. Considering my interest with this guy, I would have held his hand on the first date even.

Now don't get me wrong, I think that physicality such as hand holding, cuddling, and the likes should be reserved for people that are . . . worthy of it. Not just any Joe or Jane. But, if you actually have feelings for someone, why hold off? Why reject the urge and notion to touch them? It can only add to the intimacy and connection that you may already be feeling.

Now, you might wonder when this is appropriate. That brings me to what I call "The Rule of 3s." The Rule of 3s deals primarily with what should happen in a relationship and when. The first 3 deals with hand holding. By 3 successful dates/encounters its completely appropriate to go for the hand hold. Note that 3 is on the slow/conservative side of things, you may want to go there sooner.

So, how do you do it? How do you touch people? There are many ideas and thoughts on these questions. At the end of the day, I say just do it. I have my fleeting/lingering rule that I enjoy. There are zones that are more appropriate than others including the back, shoulder, arm, top of the hand, and knee. However, at the end of the day we all just need to get comfortable touching people. This note goes out especially to the girls in the audience. Men need to be touched. It's how they know they're being flirted with, and how they know you're attracted to them.

It should be said that there are people who feel uncomfortable being touched too much, or at all. They will most certainly let you know--if not verbally, by body language and neuro-linguistic cues. So, be aware.

Touching is one of those great things that can bond people together. Even missionaries hug to preserve that bond in their own special way. Let us all learn to be more bonded through touching. Let us all remember that sharing those moments with someone we care about is important to the growth of that bond. Let's remember that I'm right, because after all . . . such is life.

Valentine's Day

"Love is in the air everywhere I look around. Love is in the air, every sight and every sound. And I don't know if I'm being foolish, don't know if I'm being wise, but it's something that I must believe in and its there when I look in your eyes."

~John Paul Young

Valentine's Day is one of those special holidays that comes around every February 14th. As spring slowly begins to blossom and the birds and bees begin to flutter about--couples end up needing a day when they can show each other they care. You see, they don't need to show it on a daily basis or anything. Rather they need a special holiday to do the job for them. Interestingly enough, this tells us something indisputably clear: Valentine's day was created by a man. A man that didn't want to have to be all mushy with his wife regularly. He'd rather just have one day when he can go all out. Now, don't get me wrong, the logic is ridiculously followable. It utterly genius even. Especially because back in the day, it was normal for an 18-year-old boy to marry a 14-year-old girl, thus minimizing the effects on the already microscopic single adult population. Unfortunately, in today's society, that is no longer the case.

Here at BYU when in the realm of singledom, Valentine's Day is often referred to as "Singles Awareness Day" a day when each and every single is bombarded by visions of BYU lovers, sharing their...-ness with one other. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not a big hater of PDA. I think that it has its uses and benefits. But, it gets to be a little overwhelming on Valentine's Day. Indeed, one can scarcely even go outside without being reminded of one's status as a single at BYU.

I was at Smiths on Saturday night with my friend Andy. He forgot his wallet and ran out to his car to grab it, meanwhile I stood inside waiting, observing, contemplating. Near the entrance of the store there was a huge Valentine's section/stand, where people could buy flowers, cards, chocolates, and other such nonsense. Each man was awkwardly looking for the perfect arrangement of flowers, the perfect box of chocolates, that perfect card to share his sentiments. A little beyond this stand stood the embittered single lads glaring caustically at the men at the stand. Their disdain was palpable. I was in observational heaven. The single men were increasingly aware of the ones at the stand, while the ones at the stands were completely oblivious to the vibes of hatred being sent their way.

I'm not afraid to admit that Valentine's Day is not one of my favorite holidays. I think its damaging to the psyche of so many. Mine as well, and I even had a valentine that I spent the evening with! Let us each become more aware of the damage being done, and acquiesced to being more gracious in our dealings to the singles in our lives on Valentine's day. And while we're doing that. . . lets show our love more often than just V-day. . . huh. I mean. . . come on people! I will continue to struggle to overcoming the damage caused by this horrendous day but--such is life!

Dear Ottis,

I have an important question. I am a member of a minority ethnic group here in Provo. Recently I have noticed a guy who is of similar ethnic origin but has more knowledge of the culture than I do because I was adopted. I went to high school with this guy and now he has returned from his mission and works at the bank I go to. I want to approach him and talk to him but I am too scared to do it. The easy way is to avoid him by going to the teller that I'm familiar with and just avoid talking to him. So should I approach him or not?

Sincerely,

Very Shy

Dear Very Shy,

Thank you very much for writing in. I've enjoyed pondering your question. I think the answer is simple: yes! Go for it!

Now, it seems to me like you're a pretty shy person, though I could be wrong. I have my very shy moments myself. But, I hope you realize that you can take great confidence in yourself as you approach a guy. This is actually an ideal setting, if I do say so. You have this added bonus of a legit reason to go talk to him. Ask him about your shared culture. You can learn a lot about yourself that way, and get close and flirty with a guy all at the same time. And if you can approach that situation with confidence, then that will come off as even more attractive. I know that it can seem like a daunting task, but its one that gets easier with time, practice, and confidence. So, just go up there, and be you.

I hope you have wonderful success in this. Please keep me updated on the situation, and I hope I can offer you more advice in the future! Happy Flirting!!

Ottis

Notice

I've once again been asked to be a judge, this time for BYU Idol. It will be taking place Wednesday January 25th, 2010 in the Varsity Theater at 7pm. Everyone should come!!!

Rolled Pork Florentine

10 pork chops

1 pkg. frozen spinach

1 small bag pine nuts

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup bread crumbs

salt and peper to taste

olive oil

Preheat oven to 375. With a mallet, tenderize and flatten 10 pork chops. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Set aside. In a small frying pan, toast pine nuts. Make sure not to burn or over cook them, just allow them to get nice and toasty. You should be able to smell that beautiful nutty smell. Once they are toasted, remove from frying pan and place them in a bowl to cool. Also microwave the spinach as directed on package. Allow to cool. Once cool squeeze out all excess liquid. You can use a cheese cloth for this. I just use my hands.

In a mixing bowl combine spinach (thawed), cheese and cooled pine nuts. Combine well. Drizzle in olive oil (about 1/4 cup) until you reach your desired consistency (this should be just on the wet side, with out becoming soupy). Place a tablespoon of the spinach mixture onto one end of flattened pork chop and roll. Secure with twine or tooth pick. Place in casserole. Continue with all 10 pork chops. This should take about half of the spinach mixture.

Once all chops are rolled and in casserole, salt and pepper the tops. Sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spread remaining spinach mixture over the top of the pork chops. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 30 min. Allow pork to rest before serving.

Tips: Using a white roux, you can make a bechamel sauce. From there, you can add parm and make a cheese sauce that would accompany this dish wonderfully. If you make your bechamel just after putting the pork in the oven, it should take about 15 min. Once done, poor bechamel over pork in the casserole and let pork continue cooking the remaining 15 min. Serve warm, but remember to let the meat rest before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meet wonderfully moist and succulent. Enjoy!

What the heck???

So, this week when I got back from break and took a peek at my blog, I was made aware of something that scandalized me to the very core. Indeed, something so shocking, so disturbing, so unfathomable I felt I should blog about it: someone un-followed my blog! Now, I realize that to the unexperienced reader, this may seem like something as simple as un-friending someone on Facebook that posts too often. You know...something that happens, and should remain discreet--and--unless you're Zach--non confrontational. This, however, is substantially more severe. Allow me to explain why.

Right off the bat, we do need to remember that this is not Facebook. You'll notice that there are not 800 friends following this blog like we all have on Facebook. Rather, we have a mere 20. Every person counts! Especially because I'm in a secret war with Sydney to have more followers on my blog than her on hers...so secret in fact, that she doesn't even really know about it.

Secondly, the fact that someone has un-followed my blog means that I've bombed, and bored this person so desperately that they couldn't even stand to remain a follower. Now, lets remember that following a blog does absolutely nothing for you...no emails, no reminders, no alerts, no nothing...indeed, it does very little. It just puts blogs in your dashboard, which I have yet to truly understand. So, basically I failed so miserably as a blogger that it wasn't even worth that.

Thirdly, and most importantly... Ok, I don't really have a third point. But, if I were able to think of one, it'd be dang good! Suffice it to say, I'm on the slightly perturbed side of the spectrum due to this issue, but hey...such is life!

P.S.

Speaking of the secret war between Sydney and I, let me just say how happy I am to report that team Lspin is ahead by a few people...so, that is a good thing. We cannot however loose this war! We need to do some recruiting methinks! Get on it people!

-----------------

Update- This once secret war with Sydney has now become a full out battle of the bloggers. Here are the terms: Who ever has the most followers by the end of the semester wins. Judge: Yvonne (to keep things civil). Prize: homemade dessert by the loser for the winner.

Bring It ON!!!!

More Lee-isms

"I can read you like a book! Like a children's picture book!"

-Lee, speaking to Sydney

"Do you know how much of your soul is in my phone?"

-Lee, referring to the pictures of Sydney on his phone

"Do you have a list Suzy? And if so, can I borrow it?"

-Lee, talking to Suzy about list of desired traits in a spouse

"I always pronounce my final consonants."

"Why?"

"Because I LIKE them!"

-Lee and Syd, a conversation

"I'm not optimistic. I'm a realist. The glass is neither half full nor half empty; the glass is simply twice as big as it needs to be."

Lee, from a conversation with Chuck

"Boo hoo...a boo hoo"

Lee, stolen from my dear friend Kelly McBride, who conversely stole it from her sister

Notice

As was promised: Today is Christmas! Happy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

Christmas Eve

Joy to the world, for the Lord is come on this silent night, o holy night, when the stars were brightly shining on Judea's plains where the shepherds of old heard the joyous strains sung by angels we have heard on high. After all, away in a manger in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed where the virgin Mary had a baby boy, the virgin Mary had a bay boy, the virgin Mary had a baby boy and she said that his name was Jesus. But, one has to wonder: Mary, did you know that when you kissed your little baby, you kissed the face of God? So everyone, fall on your knees because the first noel that the angels did sing was going on at the same time that with wondering awe the wise men were led by the light of faith serenely beaming from the Orient land. In short, I'm trying to go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born...tonight!

So, tonight is Christmas Eve. As tradition dictates (and anyone that knows how I feel about tradition, then you'll know that it dictates mucho for me-o) we went to a long-time family friend's house. When we got there we began by having our traditional sub sandwich dinner, or as I like to call them, Hogie sandwiches. I was sitting on one of their oversized chairs in the front room where I saw a little toy. It was one of those Transformer toys from the smash hit movie, Transformers. It took me 30 min. just to figure out how to get the stupid thing to turn into the car. Why are kids toys so hard for me? I'm 25 (MLIA)!!! Anyway, once I was frustrated with that, I went and ate.

Then we began practicing our songs. You see, every year we gather as friends and family and pick several people within our ward/lives that we'd like to go carol to. We bring them treats of goodies and sing to them and try and share some jolly Christmas spirit. We had our four families selected. Usually we sing some traditional Christmas carols that every one knows. This year, we sang some little diddy that one of the kiddies sang in school: "Here comes Santa, here comes Santa, here comes Santa, Santa Clause." Than of course, we sang "We wish you a merry Christmas" as tradition dictates we do (Christmas is so wonderful, so many dictating traditions...it's almost like you don't have to plan anything!!!).

So, once we were all brushed up on our music we headed on our way. At one of the houses, a family drove by, saw us and decided to stop so that they could listen to those sweet, melodious strains. In the group, there are at least three pretty trained choral singers, and a few others that can carry a tune. You'd think us to be a wonderful ensemble. These joyful strains however are nothing to the belted bellowings of our tone-deaf fathers and the children not blessed with properly functioning ears. As we got back into the rhythm of singing together after a year apart, I began to wonder: Why haven't we had more doors slammed in our faces? Isn't the joy that we're trying to bring to these poor souls actually just agonizing to their ears? Sarah put it best as we got into our cars after the final house: "Lee, you know if you ever try for the Tabernacle Choir, this will be a huge check against you!" Truer words have ne'er been uttered on this sacred day since the Holy Family was in that little stable and the angels sang Glory to God in the highest!

After our caroling conundrum we headed back. There we did our (once again) traditional reading of Luke 2 and our traditional singing of Silent Night (for, it is the only Christmas hymn I can play on the piano). Then, when we got home, I got to watch White Christmas for my first time ever. What a joy it was. Now we have to get ready for tomorrow: presents, big breakfast, big lunch, missionaries, Sister Spindler calls, movie, Amory skypes, big dinner. Such a relentless day but...Such is life!