How to Impress a French Girl
In: Television| Video
8 Feb 2010Neil and I aren’t really traditional sports fans. We don’t have cable, and with the exception of soccer and the Olympics haven’t second-guessed the decision. So when we hit up Super Bowl parties every year our purpose is to laugh at commercials and bring the good food. This commercial however was the hit of the night for me. Simple, easy to follow yet incredibly emotional, it is the complete antithesis of what is normally aired. The best thing part is that it ironically mirrors (with exception to weddings and babies…yet) the lives of two friends of ours.
It was the first thing I Googled this morning. What was your favorite commercial?
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- Tags: Television, Video
Asian Spicy and Sweet Chili Sauce Wings
8 Feb 2010
So last weekend while I was busy studying for the GRE, Neil treated me to a favorite of ours, homemade wings. I love these because they are baked and lightly glazed, therefore healthier and more flavorful than some of the varieties we’ve had at restaurants. They are also incredibly easy to make. While I was trapped studying on the couch, the sun came out (very rare lately) and the kitchen was flooded with sunshine and Neil’s pictures turned out beautifully. The wings literally glistened in the sun.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 pounds (or so) of chicken wings
- 3 tablespoons hot ground chili paste
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
- 2/3 cup water
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
(quantities will yield 2 cups of sauce)
Note: You can also opt to just buy bottled Chili Sauce, and no one will fault you as it does save time and cost in ingredients. We recommend this brand:
DIRECTIONS
Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees so that by the time you’ve finished your prep, the oven will be ready.
Wash and thoroughly inspect each wing.
Place wings in a bowl and coat with olive oil. Mix and coat each wing thoroughly, even if it means getting your hands oily.
Arrange wings on baking sheet evenly spaced.
Bake at 400 degrees until crisp.
Remove from oven/baking sheet and toss in chili sauce. Return to baking sheet and oven and continue basting until chicken is well done.
And there you have them, glistening in the sun, ready to enjoy!
I personally recommend them with beer, and maybe a side of ice cream to
temper the sweet sweet burn.
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- Tags: Cooking, Food, Neil
Polaroid Scarves
In: Accessories| Clothing| Cool Stuff
5 Feb 2010
I’ve never really ventured into scarves other than the fuzzy ones I wear in the winter. But I adore these by Phillipe Roucou, too bad the price is :drumroll: $450
- (6) Comments
- Tags: Accessories, Clothing
We all have those staple ingredients in our pantries that make cooking on weeknights easy and all the more delicious for being so. For us, pasta and chickpeas are always in our pantry, and last week we made the most incredible pasta we now feel is our duty to pass along to everyone who might be looking for easy meals that taste like they took hours to create.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 7 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound angel hair pasta or pasta of your choice
- 1 15.5-ounce can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
DIRECTIONS
First, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in garlic and cook for one minute.
Add the broth, red pepper flakes, and 3/4 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook, stirring until the broth is nearly absorbed and the pasta
is al dente (about 6 minutes).
“Did I hear someone open a can? Tuna!?”
Stir in chickpeas and parsley.
Serve in pretty bowls and top with parmesan, sliced almonds, or an
extra something of your choice.
There you have it. A super easy recipe that is ready in less than thirty minutes. It also tastes great the second day, so if you make extra you won’t be disappointed in round two.
- (2) Comments
- Tags: Cooking, Food
Man vs. Wild: The Gear
In: Camping| Clothing| Television| Travel| Video
3 Feb 2010Most of you know by now that we opted not to get a cable/TV subscription when we moved into our house. It was not only a matter of trying to be more frugal but a lifestyle choice we endeavored to make. We were always watching more TV than we intended to and a lot of the shows we ended up watching carried a lot of negativity or trashy situations. Initially, we thought there would be a severe withdrawl, but it hasn’t been bad at all. We get our favorite shows in bulk and learn about new ones online. One of our favorite new shows is Man vs. Wild, where host Bear Grylls, a former British Special Forces OP get’s dropped in dangerous places all over the world and has five days to survive and find his way out. He does some INSANE things to survive, everything from rolling in mud, to draining blood from a reindeer he trapped with a small snare. He is officially my husband’s hero.
Being avid campers, his show (however extreme) has given us cabin fever for Spring when we can return outdoors ourselves. I’ve got it so bad I’m pushing Neil to consider camping out for our 100 Acre Wood Rally Trip later later this month, even though last year we got over a foot of snow and it was blistering cold. We’ve already been shopping for new gear, and have been inspired by some of the gear Bear uses on the show:
Mountain Hardware Sub Zero Down Jacket: $175 via Amazon
Fusion Microfleece: $55 via CragHoppers
Kiwi Winter-Lined Trousers: $72 via Craghoppers
Smartwool Expedition Trekking Sock: $20 via Amazon
Merrell Men’s Chameleon Evo Gore-Tex XCR: $120 via Amazon
Survival Strap: 19.95 via Survival Strap
I’m absolutely crazy about those Mereno wool socks. I found some while we were honeymooning in Colorado and they are to die for! As we find great gear and other camping finds we’ll be sure to pass them along. We’ll also write more about the equipment we currently use and how we make the most of what little we consider “essential.” Even if you’ve never camped, hopefully you’ll see how easy and rewarding it can be. Now hurry up Spring!
- (1) Comment
- Tags: Camping, Clothing, Video
Custom oil cooler installed
In: Automotive| Neil
3 Feb 2010
When racing, oil temperatures can sky rocket. The sustained high RPM can wreak havoc on a motor’s oil. Once your oil gets overheated it loses a lot of its viscosity (its ability to lubricate). So if you are doing any kind of serious racing an oil cooler is a must and even as an amateur it is cheap insurance to save your oil and ultimately your motor.
Over the past couple months I have been accumulating parts for my custom oil cooler setup, and this weekend I finally put it together. You can buy pre-built setups but they typically run anywhere from $450-$1000. If you are a bit crafty you can save hundreds by piecing together your own setup.
Here is how I built mine:
- 1. Earls 16 Row oil Cooler-#21610ERL – $104
- 2. Mocal Thermostatically controlled sandwhich plate-#SP1FT – $87
- 3. 10′ of -10an Aeroquip Socketless Hose-#FCV1010 (Only used 5ft) – $43
- 4. -10an to 1/2″ fitting x2-#220047 (These are the blue fittings in the Sandwhich plate.) – $4.75 ea
- 5. 90 degree -10an socketless fitting x4-FBM1534 (2 on the oil cooler, 2 connected to the fittings on the sandwhich plate) – $19.75 ea
- 6. Teflon tape at all connections.
TOTAL: $325.00 before shipping
The install process is pretty straight forward:
- 1. Connect all hoses together (don’t forget to teflon!)
- 2. Attach the sandwich plate to your OEM oil filter threads (do not forget to lube the rubber gasket on the sandwich plate with oil)
- 3. Route and connect the hoses.
- 4. Dont forget to add 1/2-1qt of extra oil to make up for the added volume of the cooler.
How you mount your setup is up to you, and it can get tricky if your bumper, intercooler, or radiator is in the way but I will leave that decision up to you.
Doing it yourself is a savings of anywhere from $100-$500+, definitely saving you some cash if you have the right resources. I look forward to seeing the cooling benefits this season on the track and will report back the results!
-Neil
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- Tags: 350z, Auto, racing
The GRE is over!
2 Feb 2010
So I made it. I survived. I’m so glad it’s over. I got the cumulative score I needed and now just have to wait 10-15 days for the analytical writing score before I can formally apply to the my graduate program choice. It was a hard decision, but I’ve decided to move forward with a MeD (Masters in Education) with an emphasis in Learning Systems, Design and Development. In real-people speak, I’ve decided to become an instructional designer. I love graphic and web design, I love arts and crafting, but I need to diversify in order to protect my long-term interests and have a shot at a higher salary ceiling. To some extent I know that sounds like I’m selling out and I probably am, but I am excited to put my feet firmly in academia, and my long-term goal is to teach design at the college level.
We celebrated last night with 12 heaping servings of Coldstone Creamery ice cream (when I saw “we,” I tackled that feat shamefully on my own) and this morning I woke up with the worst head cold symptoms I’ve ever had. I’m trapped on the couch and hoping I’ll be better soon. I have a bunch of great recipes and foodie goodies to share and with the super bowl on Sunday, and Valentine’s day coming up, wanted to post some more cool stuff I’ve been finding on the web.
Thank you everyone for your support and encouragement in tackling this hurdle. I’m my own worst enemy sometimes and tests like these make a wreck of me. I’m so lucky to have such great friends, many of whom I have never met in person.
- (3) Comments
- Tags: Education, Jessica
Happy Weekend
In: Education
29 Jan 2010
So this is it. The weekend before I take the GRE. I’m so ready but at the same time so very not ready. I’ll be completely honest when I say that I believe standardized testing is a farse. It proves nothing other than a broad sweeping generalization of how a very large group of people are doing. I’ve been dreading this test for a year, as I’ve had to put it off for our wedding and then my own ridiculous fears of standardized testing. I’m still scared, but I just want its looming presence over my head gone and to be able to move forward in some direction, hopefully the one on the other side of this test. If you saw our resolutions earlier in the month you know we have ambitious goals and an aggressive timeline for our hopeful move from Columbia and a lot of that is also waiting on the other side of this test, and I’m ready to just get on with it already.
So if you pray or worship to a God or deity, send some prayers and good karma my way. I’ll need it. Have a great weekend, and see you on Tuesday after my test!
- (1) Comment
- Tags: Education
Yellow Submarine
In: Accessories| Cool Stuff| Kitchen
29 Jan 2010
I think I would be the coolest person at work (maybe even at home) if I made my tea in a yellow submarine. How cool is this?!
{via PaperTastebuds // images from Ototo}
- (8) Comments
- Tags: Food
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- Tags: Video
About this blog
We're Neil and Jessica and we run a small creative called Kohler Created in the middle of the Midwest. I'd Roll Need chronicles all of our very random design inspiration and life's happenings as we grow our business and live life nesting in the Midwest while dreaming of moving West.
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- Samantha: I looked them up and they are 100% silk, but honestly, silk does not cost that much. It's the desig [...]
- Petit Elefant: Oh, my, YUM. [...]
- Jessica: I agree. I just can't imagine that any technique or finish could cost that much, so my only guess is [...]
- Andrea: I love these! But they are ludicrously expensive. No fabric and printing technique can possibly appr [...]
- Samantha: Man...I am not digging those too much. That is an exorbitant amount of money to spend on a single s [...]
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