So, I’m a day late and a dollar short for 12 of 12. Yes, it’s the 13th. Shoot me 
Unlike last month when I posted my 12 from Egypt, this time … I was taking a day off from work. I got home late the night before from Abilene, and I was due, dagnabbit.
8:41 am: French Press
I’ve recently discovered the magic of the french press and the full bodied nutty coffedy goodness that it can provide when you have the time to wait for it…
9:17 am: Doggie break.
My parents went to New York for a long weekend, and we agreed to sit their dog, formally known as Brandy. However, because she startles really easily, we call her Boo.
9:37 am: Editing Photos
Editing some shots I took on my business trip to west Texas. This one is from San Angelo. It’s completely false advertising, by the way: they sell no men in the man’s shop.
10:01 am: Reading
I do not relax well. However, I decided to try my hand by reading for a good chunk of the morning.
11:31 am: Furmination Time
If you are the owner of a short-haired dog who sheds all over creation, and you have not discovered the wonders of the Furminator, you are totally missing out.
11:31: You Can’t See Me
Brandy-Boo is small enough that she can try to hide behind blades of grass. And the hair that’s always in her eyes. No wonder she thinks we can’t see her–she can’t see us through that mop!
12:04 pm: Lunch
Trying to keep healthy. Ray has lost 20 pounds in two months. So have I. The difference is that he’s lost 20 pounds, and I’ve lost 10 pounds twice. It’s all the traveling. Honest.
3:17 pm: The Kudzu Covered Walls of Higher Ed
I had a potluck to attend last night–a reunion for the trip to Turkey last month–and I needed to run to the store for stuff. On the way, I stopped by the Round Rock Higher Education Center, because three of my photos are on display there.
3:20 pm: My first show!
It’s a photo exhibition of “places and spaces that matter” in Round Rock. 3 of the 20 photos are mine. My first show! *sniff* I’m so proud. This is one I took in the slave section of the old cemetery a while back.
4:39 pm: Making Simple Syrup
I’m bringing baklava for the potluck. Real baklava does not have honey in it, dammit. It’s simple syrup.
5:49 pm: The finished product.
Yes, you may have my recipe. It’s right here.
6:51 pm: Rain Clouds
They got an inch of rain in Austin. In Round Rock, we got … about ten drops. Bah.
The reunion ran long, so I didn’t get to post this last night. Honest. I’ll get a doctor’s note!
And how was YOUR twelfth?
Tags: 12 of 12, advertising, art, Austin, baklava, bla, blog, cat, dog, education, egypt, french, health, Home, ice, khowaga, lost, me, men, parents, Photos, press, rain, Ray, SHE, stuff, texas, Travel, turkey, weekend, work
OMG! I love baklava…Did you have this recipe in HS? I would have SOO left Jason for a man with a baklava recipe…LOL
Congrats on your first show. Must be a cool feeling.
Joni´s last blog ..12 of 12 – August 2009
we seem to have different recipes for baqlawas…
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i do almonds with rose water
or pistachioes with orange blossom water,
the more oriental version if you like.
true how people have the misconception there’s honey in there.
i got disgusted, ages ago, when a saw a merchant
pouring sprite soft drink over his baqlawas to refresh them for the day.
i started making my own since then…
happy for you on your first show!!
now i know i’m facing way-too-tough a competition…
HUGZ
TICKLEBEAR´s last blog ..TICKLEBEAR’s 12 of 12 (MONTREAL, CANADA) AUGUST 2009
There are many, many variations of baklava — this was my grandmother’s recipe (she was Greek, so it’s less oriental, so to speak). The reason I brought it was that I was taking it to a reunion of people that I traveled to Turkey with, and every time we were served baklava, I would always joke, “This isn’t how grandma used to make it!” So I figured I needed to put up or shut up, so to speak
However, I’m pretty sure that however you make it, Sprite isn’t supposed to be in there. YUCK! That’s a crime against cuisine.
a crime indeed.
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i’m kinda a purist about certain things,
but i was intrigued about the cinnamon & the cloves…
could be interesting.
but when you use those,
i gather you use pistachioes rather than almonds, right?!?
an enquiring mind & an empty stomach wants to know!!
HUGZ
TICKLEBEAR´s last blog ..TGIF: JUST TO CONFUSE YOU [A BIT MORE...]
I get being a purist — but it can be hard to do that with something that’s got so many variations. Every yia yia, anne, jedda, etc from Greece ’round to Egypt has her own flourishes and touches to make it “hers.” My grandmother put in cinnamon and walnuts ‘cos they’re common in Greek cooking. A Lebanese woman might use pistachios and orange blossom water, with a touch of saffron. I’m willing to experiment to see which one’s the best, but it’s always hard to fight with grandma!
I’ve only ever made baklava with walnuts — I’ve never used almonds, but I guess you could use cinnamon with those too? I think cinnamon and pistachios might taste funny, though.
The cloves are only for decoration–you can’t taste them. Honestly? The only function I’ve noticed is that they keep the phyllo from flaking off or sliding while it’s cooking!
Great photos, Chris! I love the pup ones, and the storm/rain photo is awesome! And a big yay for having your photos in a show. Go you!
Sorry I’m late – busy at work and then a long weekend away!
Helen (Dogeared)
Helen (Dogeared)´s last blog ..12 of 12 (v4.0) – August
good to know, good to know!!
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walnuts, eh?!?
TICKLEBEAR´s last blog ..ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID, NEVER THE BRIDE…
sorry that I’m very very very late! I like the stormy photo. and today the psychedelic van which is great! I read the story about your weird experience in the surgery. I hope that new ointment didn’t keep your doc’s “promise”. cheers from ireland eliane (funny to read the title of my newest post down here…)
Eliane´s last blog ..badische apfelmosttorte | easy-peasy apple pastry