Babbling and Whatnot

[lls_mutant]

Utterly cranky today. Granted, we FINALLY finished painting the nursery, which is a huge priority, and I got my presentation sent to my old boss, and he was thrilled. But I'm still cranky. Computer issues, not feeling great, feeling the size of a house, hubby headed out to Indiana for a week.... All those little things.

We saw Jarhead this weekend. I'm going to write a proper review for Mutants, but can I just say go see this one? It was extremely well done, and not at all gory. A very, very different sort of war movie.



There was a question on the Wolfstar thread over at FAP- would you rather be in a relationship like R/S or R/T? Now, I'm cranky right now anyway, which makes me rather irritable and bitter, but as much as I'm utterly an R/S shipper, I was surprised to see how many people said R/S.

I mean, okay. I'm not a Remus/Tonks shipper. We all know this. But I have to admit... Remus and Tonks are both ALIVE. Does this not count for anything? Sure, I think that right now their relationship is immature and there are issues. But with both of them being alive, those issues can change. They can be worked out, potentially.

I might be cynical because my mother is a widow, and she's remarried. I mean, it SUCKS when one half of a couple dies. I'd be the first to confirm that. But she healed, and she's found love again and she's happy, and believe me, it's much, much better to see her happy with a new man rather than mourning over my father all her life. And I realize that's my experience. But yeah- having both halves of the couple alive does really go a long ways for me.

Not that I'm saying that R/S is pure evil and anyone who would want to be in it is warped. I just think that they blew it the first time around, and even in OotP I wouldn't define their relationship as healthy (I called it twisted on the thread, but that was probably too strong a word because I was really grumpy at that point.). It just surprises me, y'know?

Of course, it shouldn't. After reading a round of R/S PWP, believe me, I want to be a gay guy too. Seriously. Don't you?



Incidentally, while I disagree with ignipes that everyone loves banana bread (I don't), I do agree that more people should post tasty recipes in their LJ. I must start doing this more. And so in that vein:



Pork Tenderloin with Bourbon-Brown Sugar Marinade

Ingredients:

1/2 cup bourbon (although I tend to use Jack Daniels)
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
1.5 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup water
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 1-lb pork tenderloins

In a glass dish, combine all ingredients except the pork, stirring until the brown sugar is dissolved. Add pork, turn to coat, and marinate in the fridge, turning occasionally for 8-12 hours.

Preheat the oven to 450.

Coat a cookie sheet well with foil. (Trust me on this.) Spray with cooking spray. Plop pork on coated cookie sheet. Roast for 30 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 160 degrees, basting with the marinade periodically. Discard any unused marinade. Carve and serve. Leftovers make exceptional sandwiches.

Very easy, very healthy, and very tasty.


A question and a comment about recipes, though.

Comment: if anyone subscribes to Cooking Light, the Chicago Deep Dish pizza in this month's issue is VERY tasty, as are the twice-baked potatoes with blue cheese and bacon.

Question: With Thanksgiving coming, does anyone have interest in a brined turkey recipe? I have one that's absolutely killer, bit it's long and would be a pain to type, so I won't bother unless someone is interested. But if someone is, then it's worth my while.

Have a good night!

Comments

[aome.livejournal.com]

That nursery is a work of art. Never seen anything like it. Wow - so cool! I especially love the birds flitting here and there.

I made slow-cooker potato/ham/spinach soup and buttermilk biscuits tonight. Am happy to share either recipe if you want it.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I had a lot of fun with it.

I would love the recipe for buscuits. I'm not a huge buscuit fan, but hubby is, and I'm always looking for ways to use up buttermilk when I get it for a recipe. Thanks!

[aome.livejournal.com]

Buttermilk Biscuits

2 C flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp sugar
1/3 C vegetable shortening
1 C buttermilk

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar into a medium bowl. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the buttermilk. Stir quickly until the dough is soft and follows the fork around in the bowl. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 10-12 seconds, adding flour as necessary. Roll the dough until it is 1/2" thick. Using a floured biscuit cutter, cut down straight down without twisting. Place biscuits 1" apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 12-15 min at 450F until light golden brown. Yield: 12-15 biscuits.


Notes: I used powdered buttermilk and also forgot to sift and it still came out beautifully.

From: The Secrets of Jesuit Breadmaking by Brother Rick Curry, S.J. (I love this book.)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Those sound very good! I'll have to try them next time I have leftover buttermilk. I always get it for baking, and then never have a use for the rest of it :P

[ignipes.livejournal.com]

Your shocking lack of a respect for banana bread is forgiven only because you gave me that cheesecake recipe a few days ago. If it weren't for the cheesecake, I would never speak to you again.

And, dude, I would rather be single than in either of those messed-up relationships. But that, alas, is neither an option in fandom nor in JKR's incredibly warped romantic worldview. Nobody is allowed to be single in the HP universe. ;)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Cheesecake covers a multitude of sins :)

You know, it's kind of sad I didn't even consider single. But yeah- single would be the way to go for either one. Sadly, I suppose nice, normal relationsips don't make good reading!

Here! Here!

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

And, dude, I would rather be single than in either of those messed-up relationships

You and me both, m'love. You and me both.

[wickedevra.livejournal.com]

Nursery looks GREAT! I love the birds too. You do realise Toby is going to grow up obsessed with African animals and you'll have to bring him to SA to visit some of our game parks? ;)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't that be too bad? :) Because, y'know, I'd HATE to have to travel like that. Heh.

Thanks so much- I've had a lot of fun with this project!

[sasha-davidovna.livejournal.com]

would you rather be in a relationship like R/S or R/T?

Eurgh. Neither of the above, quite emphatically! :) Before HBP I might have said R/T, but not after. JKR might see things differently but I don't think Remus's issues with starting a relationship, any relationship, are likely to go away easily and I'd far rather be with someone I could feel sure wasn't just being nice.

R/S, well, R/S is epic. That's what I love about it, reading it, but the thing about being epic is that as happy as their good times were, their bad times were unhappy in equal measure and for a considerably longer time period. Plus, as you pointed out, epic loves have an awful tendency to end in the early and/or death of one or both partners. I don't want to have one of the great love stories of my time, I just want to be happy. And, so far so good, I think. :)

I agree about recipes. :) There's a community called mollys_cauldron for HP fans who like cooking. It's not very active, but maybe what it needs is some new blood. ;)

[sasha-davidovna.livejournal.com]

Hmm, make that "early and/or gory death." My brain goes faster than my fingers, unfortunately.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Yeah- happy, normal relationships don't make very good reading, do they? :) I adore reading R/S. I love it as a ship. But I wouldn't want to live it. To be fair, I agree that not going R/S is good, either. If I had to be a couple in HP, I'd be all over Molly/Arthur. They're married, happy, both alive, and while they have problems (like any couple does), they're obviously there for each other. And you couldn't PAY me enough to be a teenager again!!!

I'll have to check out mollys_cauldron- thanks for the link!

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

Oh, the nursery is totally cute! I would have loved a room like that when I was little. :)

As for R/T vs. R/S... Eee, I don't know. It really depends on how you interpret either pairing. I mean, there are plenty of people who really think that Remus doesn't love Tonks, that he only yielded to pressure. There are plenty of people who thinks that he really does care for her but kept his distance for a variety of reasons.

I'd rather be in a tragic relationship, I think, than a one-sided one (provided I'm not the half that dies!) but it really depends on the circumstances. Staying single might be the wisest option.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks on the nursery :) We've had a lot of fun with this project.

I don't know why I never considered the staying single- perhaps because the question was R/S or R/T-like. And at least if you're both alive, you've got a chance to make it better. But I guess when I considered the question, I considered authorial intent. I think JKR did a crappy job showing us that Remus loves Tonks, but I suppose (::huge, reluctant sigh::) that he's supposed to.

I've decided I'd rather be Molly/Arthur over any of em. There's something to be said for staying together that long! :)

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

*g* If I liked kids I'd probably go with Molly and Arthur too. JKR isn't very kind to couples, is she? I could stand to be part of Ted/Andromeda, I think. They seem to be alive and it looks like they know how to stay out of trouble.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Yeah- I could do Ted/Andromeda, too. Actually, a little better. I like kids, but I know I don't want seven. Two is my limit, unless there's an oops or a twin. (Twins run in both families- it's definitely a possibility!) And you couldn't pay me to be a teenager again, so forget about any of the teen couples.

Hagrid/Maxime might not be too bad, if I wasn't convinced Hagrid was going to be in danger in Book 7!

[a-t-rain.livejournal.com]

Well, it WAS the Wolfstar thread, so what did you expect people to say?

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I guess I was just hoping there were other people who wanted a living partner :) I mean, at least when your other half's alive you've got a chance, y'know? ::Sigh:::

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

On the HMS Wolfstar? Pfft. Not terribly long ago the majority preferred dead Lupin to straight Lupin. :-P

[jlarinda.livejournal.com]

I prefer a dead Lupin rather than a straight Lupin!!
I would draw the puppies making out on top of a cloud.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I think Lupin's got "Dead Man Walking" written across his forehead and I kind of hope he dies, but I admit, I'm a sucker for the "kill of the MWPP generation" idea. Snape, too. If he lived, I wanted tenure for him. ::Sigh::

Ah well.

[thistlerose.livejournal.com]

Eh. I think he's going to live, and I hope he does. He's suffered too much. I can resurrect half my ship, but if they're both gone... I'd be at a loss. I know the Potterverse has an afterlife, but I'm not interested in posthumous reunions.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I guess I kind of figure that at that point, I won't be writing as much fic :) I wouldn't mind if he lived- don't get me wrong! I still want tenure for him. But either way won't surprise or disappoint me.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I think Lupin's got "Dead Man Walking" written across his forehead and I kind of hope he dies, but I admit, I'm a sucker for the "kill of the MWPP generation" idea. Snape, too. If he lived, I wanted tenure for him. ::Sigh::

Ah well.

[a-t-rain.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm afraid I shall have to be completely obnoxious and say that I personally would rather have a relationship that actually exists than an imaginary one, so it's R/T all the way for me :)

By way of apology, I will also say that I don't think R/S would have been a dysfunctional relationship by any stretch of the imagination. I think both characters actually complement each other pretty well in terms of personality, and probably would have had the potential to make quite a happy couple. Heck, I'm sure the Potterverse would be a better and happier place if they had been lovers, canonically -- I think it's a safe bet that the whole Secret-Keeper fiasco would have been avoided.

'Course, that means Voldemort's first defeat would have been avoided too, but nothing's perfect :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Well, I agree that I'd rather have a real relationship than an imaginary one, but my favorite option (Howard/Lissa) wasn't on the list ;) And given that H/L is far healthier than either R/S OR R/T... (And neither of us is a werewolf!) Our relationship would make a pretty boring read, I admit, but it's better than pretty much any of the Potter couples! Besides, I don't think I could ever write the smut for that. And who would want to read it?

It's funny that you don't think that R/S would have been such a messed up relationship. I don't know that I'd call it dysfunctional, but I do think if it existed it would be pretty messed up. Not because they were bad for each other, but I think when they were young they were clueless on the whole communication thing. But it's funny, because the basic premise behind Accidentally In Love is to explore how two characters that I still maintain could have been in love (at this point, I'll definitely concede that JKR never intended it as canon) could come to the ending that they did. REAL cheerful story, I know, but still. It's an interesting exercise that one day I'll finish. :P

The interesting thing about the Secret Keeper fiasco is this: I think Sirius thought that if Remus found out, he felt that he could make it up to him. Isn't it better to suspect and be paranoid and protect James- who is, after all, one of Remus's dearest friends as well- and then be wrong about your suspicions than it is to not make any effort to protect James? One of the things that sticks out to me is Sirius, bold, brash Sirius, NEVER confronts Remus, as far as we can tell. Why didn't he? Sirius isn't the type to hide something like that... unless he wasn't sure. I don't think he was completely convinced that Remus was the spy, and the Secret Keeper Switch was the way to find out without Remus knowing. And if it turned out that Sirius was wrong, if he was lucky, Remus would never know and if he wasn't, he could make it up to him.

Okay. I'm so babbling at this point. I think it's time for bed.

[a-t-rain.livejournal.com]

Sirius isn't the type to hide something like that... unless he wasn't sure. I don't think he was completely convinced that Remus was the spy, and the Secret Keeper Switch was the way to find out without Remus knowing.

Oh yeah -- I think the pool of possible suspects must have included the entire Order, or close to it. Otherwise it makes no sense that Peter would have slipped under everybody's radar. If you HAVE only two reasonable suspects, you're going to give at least a passing thought to each of them, even if you think one of them is a bit of an idiot.

OTOH, if all they knew was that there was a spy within the Order, but something made Sirius -- and Sirius alone -- suspect that this person had to be someone very close to the Potters, but this something fell short of absolute proof ... well, it's pretty easy to see how the whole situation might have been set up.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thus the reason the St. Remus characterization drives me insane (in het, slash, or gen). WHY did Sirius suspect Remus, and was so convinced of Peter's loyalty? I don't think it was all Sirius- I think that Remus had to be doing something that made Sirius suspect him.

MWPP was Sirius's family. James might have been the most important person in the universe to Sirius, but I still firmly believe that Remus and Peter meant just as much on a certain level. It must have absolutely broken Sirius's heart to have to suspect anyone in that tight-knit little group, and I don't think he would have done it unless he absolutely had to. As you point out, he didn't suspect Peter and he should have... unless, of course, he had other people to suspect and eliminate as well.

I realize that it probably comes down to "Remus was a werewolf and Voldemort was offering rights to werewolves" and "Remus was working for DD and doing things that he couldn't tell people", but I also like the idea that Peter was doing some manipulating too. But again, if Peter didn't have anything to work with, it never would have been an effective strategy.

Rambling more :) But I love Sirius, and I often feel like he gets the shaft when it comes to the Secret Keeper fiasco.

[gunderpants.livejournal.com]

I like Sirius more and more these days: he's so high-minded and open and decent. Whereas Lupin is a seedy fucker.

Saint Remus makes me want to stab shit.

[medicinal-mirth.livejournal.com]

The nursery is amazing. Hell, I want my bedroom to look like that now! Really, though -- wow.

The R/S vs. R/T? As long as Sirius is dead, well, yes, I'd rather Remus could find happiness, even with someone else. I mean, the poor man. That said, I can't help but question his motivations for being with Tonks. If it's just a comfort thing, as long as she's okay with that, well, then to each his own. If he caved, then that's just as unhealthy as R/S possibly was, and I think he'd be better off on his own, at least for a while.

I made a similar recipe with pork once, and indeed, it is to die for.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks on the nursery :) We've had a lot of fun.

Yeah, see, if Sirius was alive, that might change my answer. And I guess I'm assuming that Remus does love Tonks, because I do think that might be authorial intent. (I just think JKR sucks at writing serious romance.) And I agree that Remus needed to be alone. Actually, what he really needed was a friend. Poor guy.

Ah well. I guess normal and happy relationships don't make good reading!

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Where were you when we were re-doing our nursery four years ago? ;-) That is lovely; Toby is such a lucky little boy.

Man, R/S vs R/T? Can we say loaded question? Sadly, my own viewpoint dictates neither. Both relationships are exceedingly dysfunctional and each character has too many issues to make either relationship healthy. It's the dysfunction that draws me to R/S--it's how they manage to overcome despite themselves, that holds the mystery and magic for me. Wouldn't want to live it though. And we don't really need to get into why R/T realistically couldn't work as it's currently portrayed in canon, do we?

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) We had much fun with the nursery.

Neither is definitely good. I adore R/S to read, but I definitely wouldn't want to live it. Death sucks, as does a lot of the rest of what they went through.

One day I am going to write a novel where there is a good, healthy relationship and it will be interesting. Just to prove it can be done. But I doubt one participant will be a werewolf!

[jlarinda.livejournal.com]

Nursery looks awesome!! :D :D

Uhm, both R/T and R/S are terrible relationships. One of them is childish, immature, and kinda one-sided, and the other is completely tragic. I mean both R and S are fucked up. Immensely.
Which doesn't mean we can't love them and their relationship, but seriously, even with all the shit I've been through, I still think they have it a million times worse.
Fan =/= Masochist!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

That's exactly how I feel- I LOVE R/S, but I'm happy in Howard/Lissa, which would be really boring to read, but is really really nice to live. But I suppose we wouldn't love the boys as much if they didn't have such odds and warpedness, huh?

Uhh.. I'd rather be single

[jazzypom.livejournal.com]

than be in either.

Remus is dodgy, Tonks is well... wet and Sirius is dead

You can be alone but not lonely, you know? Well, that's my reading of life and self anyway.

Which is why I'm probably considered odd. If my husband died before I did, I probably wouldn't rush into another relationship, and I know I wouldn't get married again (not unless it suited me to do so - like accquiring citizenship or tax purposes).

Nice nursery btw.

Re: Uhh.. I'd rather be single

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Single would be the best choice, I guess. At least next to either of them. I love reading R/S, but I wouldn't want to live it.

And thanks! :)

Re: Uhh.. I'd rather be single

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Single would be the best choice, I guess. At least next to either of them. I love reading R/S, but I wouldn't want to live it.

And thanks! :)

[magic-at-mungos.livejournal.com]

Love the nursery!

I'm on the rather be single. If done right, both relationships can be incredibly twiste and fucked up and dark and although I love reading about it, it doesn't necesaarily mean I want to be in a relationship like that.

Remus has serious issues, Tonks needs to pull her bloody socks up and apart from being dead, Sirius had serious issues of his own. w00t for the healthy relationships. ;)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We had a lot of fun with the nursery.

I agree with you- the reading is fun, but it would suck to live either one. I guess normal happy relationships make boring reading.

[shaggydogstail.livejournal.com]

Remus and Tonks are both ALIVE. Does this not count for anything?

No, it doesn't count for anything for me. Snape's alive as well, but I'd still rather have had Sirius than him.

Um, that probably sounds a bit obnoxious, but I it isn't meant to be, I just can't think of a pleasant way of saying it. Honestly, Tonks being alive seems to be about the best thing going for R/T, and that isn't enough for me. It doesn't say anything about the quality of the relationship between Remus and Tonks, merely facilitates it continuing (or starting). I see no love between the two of them, just an unhealthy obsession on her part, and a general annoyance on his. So for me, R/S is preferable, because there was something real and meaningful to be ended by Sirius' death--R/T doesn't even have that to start with.

Also, I think most of us answering that way were thinking more of the quality of the relationship when Sirius was alive than anything else. Well, I was anyway. *shrug*

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

I totally admit I was an absolute grump yesterday, and when I get grumpy, I should stay away from FAP.

The thing is- and I think this is part of what was underlying my rant- I don't really see Remus and Sirius as a good relationship, either. Especially not in their younger days. It went very sour. The potential was there, but I think they blew it because neither of them had the maturity to handle their relationship under such extreme circumstances. But there was something else there as well... after all, the war didn't (I assume) drive Lily and James apart. My perception and incarnation of their relationship was that it was weak because they didn't put the effort into it that was needed. And then when you hit OotP timeline, I see as much need and memory as I do true love. It's a fantastic relationship to read, but I wouldn't want to be involved in it.

On the other hand, I admit I'm accepting some authorial intent for R/T. I agree with you in presentation that I can't see any real love between them. I suspect JKR means for us to think that there is a deep and abiding love. Me, I'll settle for something in between- Tonks has an obsession that's rooted in something more mature and loving, and Remus has feelings for her but has been conflicted. Thee's a starting ground there. I agree R/T doesn't have anything real and meaningful YET, but there's potential and a future, whereas R/S has nothing for the future.

Granted, this is also me, and my experience. And my experience has a widowed mother that remarried, which does make me more inclined to accept both relationships, as opposed to one OR the other.

It's not even that there were people that said they'd rather R/S than R/T for themselves. I can totally understand that. It's that almost EVERYBODY said R/S. Now granted, it IS the R/S ship, but why aren't there more people saying "y'know, there's a future in the one, but not in the other"? It just seems odd to me :)

[shaggydogstail.livejournal.com]

I've been known to tend towards the grumpy myself on occassion...;)

I know what you mean about R/S not being a perfect relationship, because, well, it's far from it. But because I'm perverse, that's what I like best about it--the ability to salvage a relationship in the face of not only external pressures (which were pretty huge), but also their own screw ups (much harder to do). And I tend to engage in relationships which are more like a car-crash of emotions myself, so...well, let's just say I favour the dramatic!

I suspect JKR means for us to think that there is a deep and abiding love.

She quite possibly does, though obviously I don't buy it. Maybe there is potential in R/T, but it seems doomed to me. There's no equality there, no balance, it's all about Remus 'rescuing' Tonks (her patronus FFS!) It's actually the pre-existance of R/S that makes me think they are on really rocky ground, because I don't think Remus is in any fit state to be looking after anyone. Yes, that was pretty much his role in OotP, because Sirius clearly did need some looking after, but that wasn't the basis of their relationship (they had history) and, crucially, Remus hadn't just lost someone he loved. Had Tonks been more like her old OotP self, I'd find the relationship a much healthier prospect, but as it is, it appears more like another burden on Remus, when what he really needs is someone to look after him.

[brieza.livejournal.com]

Just got a chance to look at your nursery pictures. *Very* nicely done.

My neice's nursery was the living room, then a walk in closet, and now at her dad's (my brother) house, part of his room and at her mom's/grandmother's house, she shares a room with her mother. At this rate, she'll be lucky to get a room of her own by the time she's 2.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks! We had a lot of fun with the nursery. I'm almost disappointed it's done :)

I hope your niece does get her own room!

[gunderpants.livejournal.com]

I think for a couple of reasons that I do think there is some decency in R/T: she is a complement to his personality type, and someone as open and honest and outright decent as her is pretty much what the dodgy old bastard needs.

That, and if he's attracted to women he's attracted to women. At the end of the day, you can have all the personality traits and history to go with a relationship, but if you don't have the right sexual orientation then the chances of a romance is pretty slight unless you're a sadist. Likewise if he was actually gay: no amount of decency or prettiness on Tonks' behalf is going to make him attracted to her if he prefers men.

(And that sounds WAY worse than it should, but somewhere I know what I'm trying to say isn't evil.)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

No, I totally see what you're saying. You like what you like, and nothing's ever gonna change that.

There's actually a lot of potential in R/T. I don't like how the pairing was handled in canon, but it's not like it's WRONG or anything, like some of the other possibilities. Ah well!