The Best (and quickest) "Homemade" Mac N Cheese

Ingredients:

Big bag/box of any kind of pasta you have (we're talking aprox. a pound of noodles)

Gobbs and Gobbs of shredded cheese (the more the better)

Enough Instant Non-Fat milk and water to make 1 cup (works better if it's hot, but it's not crucial).

a few pats of butter, for flavor and lubrication.

Boil the noodles. Drain the noodles when they're done, put the butter, cheese, and milk on them, and clamp a lid on it to start the cheese melting. Then, when it's slightly melted, add salt and pepper to taste, and stir it up; mixing it all really well. You have to stir a little, then let it sit and melt some more, then stir some more -- until it hits the right consistency. If it starts going too claggy, you can add a bit more butter -- if the cheese is too gloppy and the milk is too runny, it needs to sit and be stirred some more.

If you're really ambitious (which I'm not) and you have a set of pans that can go from the stovetop to the oven (which I do), then you can put a bit more shredded cheese on top and stick it under the broiler just long enough to give it a sort of crust.

Notes: It's really yummy to use nacho blend shredded cheese. If you're out of instant milk you can (obviously) use regular milk, or you can use 2 cups of hot Country style gravy (made from packets), but after experimenting the instant non-fat milk gives the best flavor (believe it or not!).

Labels: Food

So here I am, at my computer, just having finished my orange from breakfast despite the fact that it's now lunchtime (it's very hard to eat an orange while not getting any stickiness on your keyboard -- I suggest you just take my word for it), and listening to the end of the podcast of Democracy Now, and I'm supposed to be working on my ever-in-progress FSTM script, but instead I'm searching online for my favorite perfume which I've just discovered they've discontinued - bastards!

Since 1996 I have been completely addicted to Shafali Fleur Rare by Yves Rocher. I just absolutely L-O-V-E this stuff. Went to order some more (haven't bought any any in over 2 years so it's almost gone now), and poof, Yves Rocher doesn't make it any more. UGH!! So, I checked for it on eBay, but decided if they're not going to make it anymore, I better start shopping for a new scent. I went to a website called Basenotes to read about what other perfumes might smell like it. But, I'm not particullarly thrilled by my options. I know it's stupid to get into some sort of tizzy over a perfume, but for a decade this has been a part of the expression of my personality and now it's gone.

Oh well, enough moaning about my olfactory woes. Last night I watched Capote, and the night before that I watched Good Night and Good Luck. Both amazing IMHO! God Bless Netflix, I just love the fact that I can get all these great films in my mailbox -- I don't know how I lived before Netflix.

Like I said, I'm supposed to be working on the FSTM script right now, but am I doing that? Obviously not. Such a slacker! I finished part one of FSTM early, but now I'm stuck for the content of part two. I had an idea, but decided it was more suited to part five or six (I forget which, now) and so now I can't focus on something new for part two. I'm half tempted to write it out of order just to purge the idea from my head so I can get another, but I don't think I really need to flesh it out entirely -- I jotted down the outline, of course. I'm just so stuck right now ..... I hate writer's block. Well, this isn't really writer's block this is just .... laziness, I guess. How hard can it be to come up with 7-10 pages about hope? I didn't have that problem coming up with something to day about part one's theme: Lonliness. What does that say?

For anyone who reads this and doesn't know what the heck I'm talking about when I mention the FSTM script, well, it's because I'm not talking about it much yet. I don't like to jinx projects by talking about them too much before they're actually going forward. Kevin H. will know all about it -- if he reads this. It's a project we've discussed working on together. But I'm not entirely sure if we're still going to do this together -- mainly because he and I only seem to manage communication a few times a year. I've been starting, in the last few months, to envision this as a solo work just because of that sort of ebb and flow of our dialog. The funny part of it is that everytime we do get back in touch, it's like we just spoke yesterday. We just always pick up where we left off. Those are great friendships to have. Especially for someone like me who has issues with emotional intimacy. Kevin H. and I have known each other since we were 10 or 11. I think the only reason we can keep it going so long, and so easily, is because it never feels like it's been 6 months since we last spoke. And we never make the other feel like a slacker for being quiet so long. Like I said, those are great friendships to have.

The Democracy Now podcast has ended -- Noam Chomsky was on today -- love him! Now I'm listening to the Sunstone podcast from the 29th. Podcasts are like the best thing ever invented. Except I get so far behind sometimes. I think I have about a week's worth of Coast to Coast AM that I need to weed through.

I'm just having a love fest aren't I? LOL I'm in a good mood today, for some reason. That's unusual, but appreciated.

Labels: Writing

It's nice to know that my politics are more in line with Gandhi than Stalin (especially considering that "Uncle Joe" and I are both DEC 21st babies)

You are a Social Liberal (75% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (8% permissive) You are best described as a: Socialist Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also: The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Labels: Quizzy Things

1. FIRST NAME? Kayt

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes, first and middle names came from 2 g-grandmothers.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? a few months ago?

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING. Yes and no. I dislike how sloppy it is when I'm in a hurry, but I like that it's derivative of my mother's and grandmother's handwriting.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? chicken or turkey.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yes, of course :)

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? The closest thing I have is this blog.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Apple Jacks or Total.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No - just push em off with the other foot :)

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically, I'm in need of some work at the present moment. Mentally, I can hold my own. Emotionally - depends on the day, LOL:)

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Butter Pecan :)

14. SHOE Size? 10

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I got too nervous about everything and worry I suck at everything!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My paternal grandmother! She died the summer I was 22, and it still hurts.

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? jeans, no shoes - white socks.

19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Heather Nova.

20. WHERE IS THE ONE PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE RIGHT NOW? The British Museum.

21. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Lime green (I love green, and I love limes)

22. FAVORITE SMELL? coffee (despite the fact I RARELY drink it.

23. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my dad.

24. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Physical characteristics? Um, tie between voice and smile.

25. FAVORITE DRINK? Stash Brand Lemon Blossom herbal tea!

26. FAVORITE SPORT? To play: tennis. To watch: college football (go Big Red!) or baseball (Angels!)

27. WHATS YOUR FAVORITE COLOR? Lime green or lavender - but not together.

28. HAT SIZE? Big - I have a big head (I mean that literally, not figuratively). I am comforted by the fact that even the glamorous Jackie O. had a large cranium - and I claim it means I'm smarter than the average bear, LOL:)

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no, I prefer funky glasses!

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Dark Chocolate!!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I don't like either, usually.

32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? green t-shirt under brown t-shirt.

33. SUMMER OR WINTER? WINTER all the way!!

34. HUGS OR KISSES? either ;)

35. FAVORITE DESSERT? something with fruit - pie, cobbler, tarts, or even just fruit and cheese.

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? Currently still slogging through, Save Me the Walz by Zelda Fitgerald, a book of poetry by Wendell Berry, and several magazines.

37. WHAT'S ON THE MOUSE PAD? A big smiley face.

38. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? I don't remember. Isn't that awful? LOL:)

39. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SOUNDS? my dog snoring is a pretty nice sound :)

40. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Europe.

41. WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIAL TALENTS? I'm loaded with them - way too many to name, ROTFL :)

42 AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Orange, CA

43. WHAT DAY IS IT? It's a helluva day at sea, Sir! ;P

Labels: In a Nutshell