Wondercon 2013

This past weekend, as part of my amazing boyfriend's birthday celebration, we went down to Anaheim for Wondercon. Now, I have never been to anything quite like this. I've done renaissance faires and I went to Designer Con last year, but I was not prepared for the visual and mental overstimulation that is Wondercon.

I saw so many awesome, enthusiastic people celebrating their love for pop culture and general geekiness. It was fantastic! There were tons of Dr Who fans, quite a few gorgeous Daenerys Targaryens, and sooo many anime cosplayers! I wish I recognized even half of the anime fandoms. Not that my ignorance takes anything away from the skill and dedication that went into those costumes, but still, it'd be nice to know who they were.

It was amazing to sit in on panels about the past and future of Star Trek, and hear how much other people know and love the series. I was surprised to see 7 different panels revolving around my favorite shows as a kid, but as Paul pointed out to me, these are my people. :D

It really felt like a community, interacting with this group. Everyone seemed happy to be stopped 50 million times to have their picture taken. No one was ridiculing anyone. And every time I saw a costume, regardless of how simple, well-done or elaborate, I saw others acknowledging a common love and interest. I wore a couple of my Imaginarium puppets, and people in full costume stopped ME to comment on my little creatures. And there I was, feeling no fear or hesitation to ask questions, compliment, or ask for photos. It really was amazing.

I didn't think to bring my camera until the last day, so I did miss out on some real gems. Like Gadget from Rescue Rangers, Buttercup and the Dread Pirate Roberts, and a bloodied Belle carrying around the Beasts head. But here are a few that I did catch on Sunday.

Photos behind the cut:

Newport Beach

My awesome boyfriend, Paul, scheduled a whale watching trip for us yesterday. We got up early, slathered ourselves with sunscreen (though my nose ended up pink, as always), and made the trek south.

I've never been to a beach like Newport. It's basically this narrow peninsula, with a single road down the middle, and a block or two of beach houses on either side, then water. I can see how it's a wicked popular spot for the summer. Most of the traffic is made up of bicycles. And there were tons of people who camp out with tents or little portable awnings.

Luckily, we got there early, so we were able to get a pretty good spot on the boat. Up top, starboard bow, which is where most of the activity occurred.

Photos behind the cut:

Porch Life

Back in the late winter, I got it into my head to put out a suet feeder for the birds. Back in the Northeast, we would get blue jays, mourning doves, chickadees, and crows throughout the winter with corn and suet. Naturally, no birds cared about my efforts to help them here. My thoughts are that they probably don't need any extra fat, as they have little need to stay warm.

So, it was a bit hesitantly that I bought a hummingbird feeder. And for the longest time I saw nothing. BUT, about 3 weeks ago, I noticed Buford chattering up a storm while he sat in front of the slider door. I peeked out, and saw a hummingbird at my feeder! Since then, I've seen at least 3 different ones at all hours of daylight. They're none too happy to find me on the porch tending to plants. But, I've finally gotten some photos of the little girls, who turn out to be female Rufous Hummingbirds. No males yet!

Vegetarian Chili Cockaigne (with a tad of cheating)

I'm lucky to live in an area of Southern California that has an awesome variety of grocery stores. For example, there are 7 markets within 10 minutes of our place that I shop at on a fairly regular basis. I can get pasilla peppers, nopales, quail eggs, Icelandic yogurt, red bean buns, oyster mushrooms, Welsh cheddar and black quinoa with ease. I am spoiled.

Sometimes, though, I feel like getting super classy, and simply opening a can of chili. Fresh & Easy makes a wicked good vegetarian version. Unfortunately, one can doesn't exactly feed two people properly, so Paul and I experimented one weekend, and came up with a pretty darn tasty version of chili cockaigne.

Vegetarian Chili Cockaigne (2-way)

Serves 2

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat.
Add:
6 oz dry spaghetti (I usually use two handfuls)
Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check for desired doneness by biting into a piece.

Meanwhile, put 1 can vegetarian chili into a small pot over medium heat.
Stir in:
2 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlics, minced (or 1 teaspoon jarred minced garlic)
1/6 oz grated Mexican hot chocolate
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
3 ground peppercorns
3 ground cloves
3 ground allspice (for the ground ingredients, I use a mortar and pestle)

Heat, stirring often, for about 5-7 minutes.
Remove from heat, and serve over spaghetti. You can also make this
3-way by grating cheddar cheese over everything.

We came to the conclusion of using approximately 1/6 oz of the Mexican hot chocolate disc by dividing down the recipe in the book. I often will just use half of one wedge of the Casero or Abuelita tablet. Feel free to experiment, I imagine 1/6 oz of powdered cocoa mix could work, if you can't find the tablet kind.

Pan Boxty!

My utterly awesome boyfriend made me pan boxty over the weekend. AND he wrote up the recipe, AND he offered to have me take pictures and share it here. I likes him.

Pan Boxty

Serves 2

Water
1t Salt
3 Smallish Medium-sized Potatoes
1/4 c Finely Diced Onion
1/4 t Minced Garlic
1 1/2 T Flour
1t Old Bay Seasoning
Frying Oil

Peel and shred potatoes.
Nearly cover with water and mix in salt thoroughly.
Put in freezer for 10-20 min.


Dice onions and mix with garlic, set aside.
Mix flour and Old Bay Seasoning, set aside.

Squeeze liquid from potatoes.
Let liquid rest until starch settles out, approx 10 min.
Pour off water.
Mix starch back into potatoes along with flour and Old Bay.
Line a plate that is approx size of pan with wax paper and press potato mixture into a flat patty.
Freeze for approx 30 min.

Heat a 9" cast iron pan on high with enough frying oil to leave a small pool in pan, approx 1/16" to 1/8" deep.
The hotter the oil the better, 5-10 min is good.
Add potatoes and press into bottom of pan.
Cook about 4 min or until browned.
Flip and cook another 4 min or until browned.
Divide and conquer serve.

With all of the activity in the kitchen, Buford got a bit miffed that no one left the fridge open for him so he could lick the crisper drawer.

Lunch Pail!

I have been absent. I apologize. However, I have a very good reason for having been absent. You see, my best friend and college roommate got married last weekend. If you know me, you most likely know her, and are well aware that she got married. You prolly also know that she did not have a traditional wedding. She had a spectacular, dinosaur-themed wedding at a safari park. It was possibly the best thing ever. Anyway, I was her maid of honor. I did not realize how much work goes into such a role. But I enjoyed it thoroughly. It was quite a busy week. On top of heading to the location a day early and setting up and doing the rehearsal and all of that, my mother flew in for the week. So, there was a bit of sight-seeing and entertaining and driving this past week.

BUT, because the bride and groom are super awesome, they got me the Hamilton Beach crockpot that I've been eyeing for about forever as a wedding party gift!
I've been itching to use it, and finally today broke it in by making The Crockpot Lady's Quinoa Casserole. It's one of our favorite recipes. I haven't really made any significant adjustments to said recipe, so I don't feel that I have the right to distribute it myself. But I urge you to check out her site. She's pretty cool.

After the casserole was done (I did a double batch) I put it in this handy little pail that I have. We're going to see a cemetery viewing of Labyrinth tonight with some friends, and this works well for a picnic addition (and Muppets fit the theme).

It reminds me of the lunch pails from Return to Oz, another childhood favorite. Go watch!

Rice & Beans

Tonight, because I have been super lazy this week, and not planned a single meal until it's the oh-crap-we-kinda-need-to-have-dinner time, I made an easy fall-back. Rice and beans that pretend to be fancy.

This is one of the few recipes that I don't owe credit to anyone else. Unless you count the genius who had the idea to have rice and beans TOGETHER. I guess I owe that guy a little bit. But, I totally threw this together one night, and my boyfriend (who is incredibly patient, and often adventurous when it comes to my cooking) told me I needed to write it all down.

Rice & Beans

Serves 2

Make up 2 cups broth (I've used the Better Than Boullion Vegetable broth before, but this time tried the No Beef broth, and it was even better!) and pour into a medium pot.
Stir in:
1 cup rice
Cover and bring to a boil.

While you're waiting for the rice to boil, heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a large skillet.
Add:
3 diced slices of jalapeño 
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Heat for 2-3 minutes.
Add:
1 can red beans 
½ can black beans
Stir, cover and heat for about 5 minutes.

At this time, your rice should be boiling. Stir, then reduce heat to low, and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. About 10 minutes or so. Twice I lifted the lid to quickly stir during this time.

Add 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar to your beans, stir, and cover again. Heat 2-3 more minutes, then remove from heat to cool.

Once the liquid has been absorbed into the rice, you're done!
Serve together in a bowl.

The first time I made this, I finished cooking, removed everything from the heat, and then took a 2 hour nap.  While the dish is always quite tasty, I feel like it's never been as good since. My point being: If possible, allow the flavors to meld for a little while.