How I fill a day

Some days are busier than others. I'm sure you have them too. Days where you don't get to sit
down for longer than it takes to eat a quick meal because there's so much else to be done.

Today started out with a doctor's appointment, which went well but was longer than I was expecting because I had to have a test. Bleh. Have I ever told you of my INTENSE fear of needles. Luckily I always have the best phlebotomist and this one was no exception. She kept chatting to me the entire time trying to distract me from the sharp pointy thing she was plunging into my arm.

After I headed to the mall. I had to pick up some more shirts - because now that the weather is getting warmer I have come to the realization that I have about 3 sleeveless shirts that are long enough to wear out in public without showing everyone what my stomach look looks like.

Then it was time for a little maintenance work - waxing and nails. Here's my other tip - I LOVE this new Shellac stuff. Seriously. I have NEVER had my nail polish last this long - and we're talking at least 3 weeks with nary a chip.

By this time it was 2:30 and I had a stack of paperwork I had to fill out and send in for a project. And then take Thatdog to the park (where he peed on someone's leg. SERIOUSLY someone is getting on my last nerve). We got a late start out, but at least I could justify it since Thatboy had physical therapy and would be home a bit late anyway.

On the way home from dogpark I had to stop and drop off/pick up some movies. And finally THEN I got to come home and start making dinner for tonight and lunch for tomorrow.

Seriously I'm really looking forward to sleep tonight! And I hope it's better than it has been all week. I hate not sleeping - especially when I get the left eye twitch because of it.

I'm not going to sugar coat it - tonight we had the lazy girl's version of risotto - brown rice mixed with tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese. And it was fantastic because it was easy (albeit not quick - but it's not like I'm doing a lot of work when that brown rice is in the rice cooker). But if you didn't have a run around day, and you have a bit more time I recommend dressing your brown rice up with something a bit more hearty than tomato sauce. Something like this lamb curry should do the trick - creamy, thick, and obviously stew like it's what I would have loved to have if I had the time.

Lamb Curry
1 lb lamb in one inch cubes
1 onion, sliced
3 sprigs thyme
1 parsley sprig
2 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp curry powder
salt and pepper

1. Heat a dutch oven over medium heat and brown lamb.
   
2. Add 2 cups of boiling water, onions, thyme, and parsley and simmer for 1 hour.
3. Remove the lamb and strain the liquid reserving this broth for later.
4. Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat and add the flour and curry powder. Stir this mixture for a minute or so until it becomes paste-like.
   
5. Stir in the lamb broth and stir until the sauce thickens.
6. Season with salt and pepper, then add the lamb back in and heat through.