friday link love

Our first bouquet in the new place. Thanks, trader joes for inexpensive ranunculus. Or as andrew calls them - ridiculouses. #newhome

Good morning and happy Friday! I wanted to write about what it’s like to cook in a kitchen that’s not quite completely finished; how familiar and unfamiliar it is, and how for someone like me, any deviation from the norm is an anxiety-inducing feeling, but as I started writing, I realized it would make too long a post. So, I’m saving it for another day and keeping this here short and sweet.

Never underestimate the space-saving and organization power of a well-placed pot rack and some magnetic knife strips. I feel so much more organized even if I’m still fumbling around in the kitchen. While I’m unpacking and finding a place for everything and everything in its place (takes awhile!), I’m sticking to pantry basics and cooking in such a way that I use what I have without having anything go to waste. So far – it’s been mostly successful. But I’m still wrestling with the water dispenser on our Samsung fridge. I’m supposed to “drain” it of the air bubbles in the water line – which according to Samsung customer support – means I need to drain 2 to 5 gallons of water! Who has time to stand there and do that?! So I’ve been draining cup by cup when I’m in the kitchen, but I feel like I should be, at least, close to being done and the water dispenser is still dripping when the waterline is connected. If anyone just happens to be a refrigerator (esp Samsung) expert reading this, I’d love your opinion!

I’ll keep things brief today. I hope you all have a restful and fun weekend. We may have to go to Ikea – groan! – again. Andrew starts a new job on Monday. I’ll continue to unpack and work on the books. And I hear there are some sporting events being televised, so we might watch that. Have a great weekend, all!

****

How “When Harry Met Sally” explains the growing inequality.

Let them eat kale. Extreme dieters ruining dinner parties for everyone else.

Journalists in Sochi are live-tweeting their gross and hilarious hotel experiences.

But on a more serious note, this video nails it in regards to some of the problems surrounding this winter’s Olympic games.

CVS pharmacy chain is looking to end sales of tobacco products. A move that could cost it billions of dollars in sales, it also positions CVS as a true healthcare center (i.e. tobacco products do not belong). What do you think of the move? I love it.

What great artists need – solitude.

Being gay in Russia. If you read one link in this post, this should be it. Very sad.

Nine true facts that sound made up but are actually completely true.

As peanut allergies rise, trying to determine a cause.

And while we’re on the topic of wellness and health, how about parabens in our cosmetic products?

This (!) is how you test a recipe!

5 Comments

  • Brian

    I like the Ranunculus Flowers! I like your links about the Sochi Olympics. People I used to talk to always believed that Rasputin didn’t die; now I am thinking that Potemkin didn’t either.
    On the refrigerator, take the time and flush the line, the water in the line is like the water in Sochi, it probably has bad stuff in it. Additionally, air compresses differently than water and the line is suppose to be water tight, not air tight. Also, if you don’t drain or flush the line properly how else are you going to find out that your new refrigerator needs a service call to fix a defect? I know it sounds pretty cynical, but that could be the reality. Stay Warm!

  • olga

    Brian – I don’t like being part of the jeering crowd, but I want to be factually correct and I think that video nails it in all aspects. As for the fridget I drained 4 gallons of water and voila – seems like that did the trick.

  • Gayle

    Olga – I hear you on figuring out how to organize a new kitchen. The apartment I just moved into has cabinets that open upwards. Which means that to get anything out of them, I pretty much need to hold up the door with my head. Needless to say, the dishes are in the pantry for the time being. Also, I haven’t yet figured out how to turn on the water dispenser or the ice maker. Even after reading the manual. But I can’t complain – it’s a great kitchen. Good luck with yours!

  • kyenne

    love that you are sharing the renovation (ups and downs) as well as the usual fabulous links. as for the fridge, save yourself time in the long fun and do the 3 – 4 galloon drain at one go. seriously. it’s easier in the long run, more efficient, and you’ll be done. i speak as one who didn’t and trust me, one cup at a time takes way longer and you need to do it to assess whether it’s working properly.

Leave a Comment