Marquis cooks Breakfast [for dinner]

Good evening, everyone~. Even though it's Monday night, it's not entirely unpleasant, I hope. There's some fabulous music playing beside me in the form of UMD's Gamer Symphony Orchestra rehearsing a selection from Shadow of the Colossus. Our concert is going to be fabulous~ but more in a music post to come. For now, perhaps I can help you decide on a late night om nom with a simple and delicious fix.

It's not often I'll have breakfast for dinner, but when I do [...strangely reminiscent of a beer commercial, ne?], it's usually pancakes or waffles. Wait until I get my hands on some bacon though. Then something delicious truly happens.

Although I do advocate healthy eats, deliciousness is always a huge plus.

The potatoes and sausage are left overs from a great party over the weekend and the mother marquis' high school friend's house [the same one for Halloween and Christmas parties of great grandeur]. I verily enjoy my starches at all times of the day, but the home fries can substitute easily with some sliced fruits or a nice tall glass of juice or milk. Toast the bagel, cook the bacon [or as I have here, roast beef], fry the egg in the bacon fats, layer a nice cheese of choice, and enjoy~

Do you like breakfast for dinner? What do you crave at night? Ever to vice versa, with dinner for breakfast?

Into the rest of the week~ good luck all.

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante

The Fabled Tea-time with the Marquis

Good afternoon, minna~. How positively coincidental of me to say that I'll get a post in on Saturdays, and then forget the upcoming Saturday will consume my soul [shadow casting of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with my favorite fandom, ahem... 'prodding' people in line]. And then I got sick. But I'm getting better, and thus I was inspired to do the tea-time post, since that is helping me feel better [also, hot apple juice with a bit of honey; it's really amazing]. So let us journery to that quiant cozy little corner of the world that's all yours, where the weather is exceptional, and nothing would be better than a spot of tea.

So a while back [...yeah, June-ish], gallavanting about, the parent-persons and I stopped at a Teavana. I swear I would buy a tea set from them if it wasn't so expensive... [well, not entirely overpriced, per se] The sample brews were delicious as always, and the mother-person bought some this time around. But it was caffeinated, and it didn't sit well with her stomach, so I ended up drinking most of it. On a calm Saturday morning that I planned to do a lot of work, I made a pot with a touch of honey. Generally, I will let tea steep for however long there is water in the pot; it makes each cup stronger. However, I do know that can impart the taste and make it overly bitter. Teavana brews will come with suggested steep times on the back of the bag.

The tea set came from my cousin Jo from when she was moving. Oh, the mother-person also made bread [with a breadmaker borrowed from a friend], and I do love my starches with every meal. I had honey and or butter with the French bread. The house was empty, so my little tea-time was very~ calming [and, since no one was around, and it was early in the morning, I hadn't dressed to match the part either, oops]. Even with the caffeine running through the veins.

Sebastian likes bread of all types, and thought he would help himself to some. [I would've had let him had he not also climbed up on the tabletop itself and almost spilled scalding tea on himself and I.]

Oh, the serving plate for the bread is a lovely number made by my awesome godmother. It actually comes off more a sushi plate to me, given the long rectangular shape, but like most dishes, it's versatile. We now have quite the small collection of various pieces from her. [I wonder if she's started to sell online, too...]

What's your favorite type of tea? Cold, hot, sweet, bitter, decaff, caffeinated? How do you enjoy your perfect cup of tea? If you're not one to brew your own, are there any good cafes around where you live that serve great tea?

And with that, I'm going to make some more chai and probably go back to sleep. *Sniff.* Take care of yourself, everyone~

Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Summery Treats

Good evening everyone~ I hope you all are keeping cool where you are. It's getting dastardly hot outside, and I don't even like to think about it [though I am fortunate enough to not really feel it]. I apologize for being away, I'm being a bad-at-everything person lately, and I feel terrible for it. As I predicted, I've become consumed with Dissidia 012. What's worse, in the time I do have to do something constructive, like post, I find I've come up with nothing worthwhile, to me. But I've come to the conclusion I just simply need to mix things up. And so, please enjoy something a bit... delicious~!


Lately, with the non-existent free time I have, the mother person firmly encourages--read, forces--me to make dinner two or three nights a week, as opposed to just one. This is all well and good, but if you recall, I am indecisive. So coming up with ideas even with a fridge full of food takes all day, if not... all night, too. Occasionally, I will take the easy way out, with something like a frozen pizza.


I'll skip the joke; it is DiGornio.

We'll usually get the plain cheese, and then whoever is cooking it will take topping preferences from the rest of the house and add them on. Clockwise is the mother person's third with broccoli and bacon bits, the father person's half with mushrooms, sliced baby bell peppers and bacon bits, and this one's third with broccoli and octopi hotdogs. Awesome moms and amazing girlfriends will add them to a loved one's lunch box, and are a snap to make with Nathan's hot dogs and a George Foreman's Grill. Cut each dog up into fourths, then cut a crosshair about halfway into each mini weiner. Stick em on the grill and they curl up beautifully. I don't know if I really have the hang of cooking broccoli yet. I just... boil until not frozen. It works. Mostly.


Now, where would your great pizza [or burgers~? It is grilling this time~] be without a delicious cool drink to go with it? The father person goes out at random to pick up soda cans from wherever is having a discount [be it Safeway or Giant], so usually we have that. But I took the leisure of buying a mini watermelon when the mother person highly encouraged--...yeah--me to go out shopping again [see the previous post for that outfit]. My parent people failed to mention to me before that they weren't fond of watermelon, leaving me to eat it all. Not that I couldn't, but something about seeing the 3/4 of it left just made me... unsure if I would be able to over time. Thus, I threw it in the blender.

Yes, we have the same blender Starbuck's uses, if that means anything to anyone. It can make anything from hot soup to pancake batter to ice cream, legit frozen.

Along with the watermelon, I added some milk, fruit punch and apple juice [in juice box portions], a bit of yogurt, and some ice. I was intent on making a smoothie, but it seems that it wouldn't thicken; the blender is a hella loud when crushing ice, so I didn't want to keep adding to it... it was already dangerously high from the watermelon meat. The portions I all eye-balled, so if want to recreate it, add more or less as you like, and swap out the added juices if you prefer with other juices or frozen fruit.


Everyone's got to eat, even Aristocratic vampires and Visual-Kei incubi [say what...?]. What are you favorite summer time meals and treats? Any homemade recipies?


I recently checked out an interesting book dealing with Japanese fashion, so hopefully that with scans of some pictures, along with a Red and Black post for Victorian Kitty's newly made week long theme, and a Polyvore playtime will be up soon. Just to keep things going.


Now, pardon me while I escape back into Dissidia for the night... Please remember to take precautions in 90+ degree weather, and enjoy your summery days~


Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Mini Post: Grocery Shopping [and meals]

Good afternoon minna-sama~ sorry for the delay. [I moved these pictures, and then forgot where they were.] It's getting a little warmer, little at a time. I would still like a repeat of last year's Snowmaggedon, but at the same time, because I lack a good Aristo or V-kei coat/mantle, I don't mind warmer weather coming forth if it means wearing blouses and my waist coat only. As it were, here's a little post for the weekend outing two weeks ago.

As I mentioned, I finally went out to SAM's Club with my parents for the first time in forever. I love our SAM's Club in Annapolis, everyone is cool. The ladies tend to enjoy my outfits, and my Demonia boots are a hit really.

The priest cossak, thusly dubbed [see a previous entry], the Demonia boots, and Trinity Blood crucifix [it makes me wonder if people see it and think I'm uber religious]. I really really really want a top hat now. If anyone knows a good millery or hat store, let me know.
We got peaches, and I decided to promote them. Strangely. I think if I had the Undertaker wig on, this would be more complete. [also, I didn't turn it all the way around, bad sales pitch~! Haha.]

Also, I've been making waffles with my new waffle iron I bought during Black Friday. The top is with blue berries, the bottom with cheese grilled into it; just put shredded cheese of choice on top after you've ladeled the batter in, then close the top.

I had an outing with Toriberry just this past Sunday, down to Georgetown to do some vintage store shopping. She in her new embrace of gyaru, went stylin' and profilin' in complimentary contrast to my expiremental Aristokei mash-up. I forgot to take pictures, but I'm sure to wear that combination again I believe.

Into the future, everyone~ Do your best, and look as you wish. That which we have all sworn to, shall always be my guiding light. [I love Warrior~]

Eternally yours,

Il Ruinante Isaak.\

Miniature Post--Marquis cooks a meal: Lunch II

Good afternoon, mina-sama, I'm taking a brief interlude from work to add a little something. I've been really bad about making lunches these days, I only made one last week, which means I was having to buy foods. Only I was running short on the monies because I hadn't been to the bank in two weeks, and so I didn't actually end up buying that much after all. Oddly, I didn't feel starved, but I sure as hell wasn't feeling awake come Thursday evening.

Tonikaku, here's last Thursday's picnic bento, had with Nobu aaaaaaaaand... *Taps chin.* Eventually Spanish-man and Vodka drinker came by for a bit...

Fresh pineapple was had [and skillfully cut up by yours truly], tamagoyaki, and tako hot dogs. I didn't know what to put in the green and I was already really tired, so I put in some buttered toast. I likes my starch.

So, as stated before in last bento filled post, I sort of go for what I have and what's tasty rather than the aesthetics. I still like my bento to look nice for whatever I've got in it though, all the same. It was tasty, and my pinneapple was swarmed by a bee. And I had a nice picnic overall.

As promised, a brief interlude be thus. Enjoy your afternoon and return home safely, mina-sama.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Miniature Post--Marquis cooks a meal: Lunch

Good evening, mina-sama. I've been feeling under the weather recently [there I go again with my superior and supremely failing health], but oddly, here I am posting something else today. Although when you take into account that today's easiler post should've been posted a week ago, it seems to balance out a bit... *Koff, koff-koff-koff!* Ouch, auuhhhh... It seems a bit early for cold season, but it can't begin to be fall soon enough, ne? Although in this Marquis' area, it is supposed to be in the 90s for the rest of the week to Friday. Ugh. Disgusting.

As it were, here is what I've been whipping up for lunches for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ges-sui-kin doesn't work out as well since I tend to be finishing work on the evenings of Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday. With the exception of the dragon roll and fried rice in the lower one, I made everything [or everything was available to me in the fridge]. Bento to me is a luxury, so I stuff into it anything I can. It is a part aesthetics, but mostly it's what can I whip up with minimal effort and cut down to fit into the compartments? Fruits are plentiful in the house, and because Otousan doesn't eat them, it's split half and half between Mother and I, usually just whoever gets to it first eats the majority.

Oh, and the maple leaf dorayaki is direct from Miyajima Island, Japan. The yellow in the lower box is tamagoyaki, the "blossoming" things are hot dog "octopi" that I turned upside down so they would all fit. Up top is a massive hamburger grilled the evening prior that I put a slice of Asiago cheese on. These were enjoyed on beautiful weathered days during picnics with Toriberry~ [yes, at last we have had ours]. By way of fashion, I have debut my cane during the school week, but I was more casual Visual Kei both of those times. When I finally go clothes shopping and buy more blouses, the jabot and silver Kuroshitsuji necklace will be donned more often.

*Soft yawn, koff koff.* Nghhhh, I think I shall try to turn in early, mina-sama, do forgive my leave. I must finish watching the Dissidia Final Fantasy intro movie though. *Eyes glued on Warrior of Light.* For the twelfth time this night. Dah. Are generic heroes allowed to morphed into something so devestatingly hot? Don't answer that, because apparently, it's a yes. [Such a bad ass...]

Mmmm~ Firionel I didn't forget you~ oh, and Sephiroth don't you look splendid in the newer and nicer CGI~?
Leave an ill noble to his musings...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

The Week in Review

Good afternoon, minna-sama. While my morning was less than pleasant, it seems one of my reliable skills is to be able to tolerate things I don't like with surprising ease and grace. And so I am back in a place I have come to feel rather comfortable in, though it is damn chilly as always, and decided to get to this before something else undesireable reared it's ugly head once I returned back home. Imagine that, feeling better at work then I do at home. Tsk, what is my little world coming to?

Well, per my less than optomistic prediction, I was unable to come and post during the week at all. Le sigh. I hope this doesn't become a trend, or before I know it, I'll drop off the face of this blog too, despite my best interests. So though it is a bit of a stray from the motis operandi of being an Aristo, I'm going to do a bit of a recap of the week.

The first day started with me going to the building I hoped I had my first class in--which it turned out I did--going into a computer lab, and quickly transcribing my schedule down onto an index card. Luckily, it didn't take much since it's the same for ges-sui-kin, and I have free days on ka-moku. In addition, I also memorized the rooms after the day was over [hell my physics class is in the same lecture hall as last semester. I sit in practically the same seat]. I seem to have a knack for taking sociology related classes with a dolldrum teacher, thus not setting me up for a pleasant experience. My physics teacher reminds me of a cross between my high school Japanese teacher, and my highschool AP physics teacher. It is interesting combination, to be sure, however he teaches--to an extent--and arranges grading/syllabus like Alan, previous PHYS106 teacher. And so paperwork was handed out and assignments were to be had.

The first picnic of the semester with Toriberry didn't quite go as planned, but that's alright, we'll get there. Also, I went in early to work, and boy did they need it. Poor bossman wasn't running around like a chicken with his head cut off, but he sure was in a bit of a frenzy. However, it was really only those first fifteen minutes that things appear to be crazy, because once I got there, not only did I feel so much better, but it immediately calmed down. Maybe this is me. I am a sedate being after all. And mid afternoon I caught up with Kahori and visited Professor Liley again. Still wants donuts.

Wednesday was like Monday, only I was already falling behind. A LITTLE. ONLY A LITTLE. I ran into a few more people, waved in passing, chatted for a few, natter natter. Had to hurry my butt back to CBCB to drop off my bike to take the shuttle home. Oh yay.

Thursday was like Tuesday only less chaotic and better. I had Gamer Symphony Orchestra meeting--first of the semester--that evening. I worked in the morning, picniced with Chiii--which turned into picnic with Chiii, George, Martini, and Bill--and had my splendidly made bento, all before heading back the chapel for our meeting. Tis exciting, we've a lot lined up. I wore my Castlevania: Symphony of the Night shirt [subconciously again, as I did for the past two first GSO meetings] and my Castlevania: Judgement Aeon pants. Seems I am video-gamed out when I want to be, whether I know it or not. We've got about thirthy new members it seems, but we'll see who decide to stick around with us. The music line-up is phenomenal. Come visit out GSO store and support our orchestra outside of concert attendances [which are free~!].

Friday was like Wednesday, only it was Friday and thus the weekend. After physics, I hung out with Chiii again and played LoZ:Wind Waker for a bit. Cute miniature Link is a cute miniature Link. And we rode the tornado over, oh yay~. Having a bike made running a bit late completely managable, to which I am entirely grateful. *whew.* Speaking of said bike--which I believe I have at last named Fang of the Church Petros Orcini--I seem to be getting better at getting around in the mornings and in general on campus. I still thinks DOTS is one damn conspiracy, and I'm going to ream them a new one since I didn't get my free bike-lock yet. It is still a kenshin damn pain trying to go up the campus drive hill, but the victory is sweet going back down. Haaa, I'll get there.

I'm hoping for more productiveness, and more focus in these weeks. Next weekend is the meet-up, ne? It's on a Sunday, not a Saturday. I'll have to remember to get directions and bring small bills... I wonder if I can get food... hmmm, it wouldn't be enough to prepare just my own bento... I went grocery shopping, let's see...

Ah, what a perfect lead into my projects and food! I've completed my cane, minna-sama! Next post is definitely that, and progress on the jabot and other projects. I am so pleased; please tell me what you think when you see it.

I'll be tending to some work while I can, and so on that note I depart. Until the next time, hopefully sooner, minna-sama.

Of hand to kenshin... is what I thought.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak

Marquis Cooks a Meal

Good evening, mina-sama. I had a decidedly good run today, from getting up and not tripping over Sebastian to not being run over biking from work to mom's office [essentially close to Comcast Center]. This has been a post I've been brewing on for a while, and just never got around to putting anything up. I even went so far as to make a bare boned skeleton draft post so I wouldn't forget to eventually get around to it. Today's topic [as if you couldn't guess]? Food.

Aside from normal activities being more consuming than a post, forgive me, another predicament came up in my delay of posting this. According to people who eat my food, I am a good cook. I myself believe I am a decent, if not good cook. Recipes do not give me grief, all methods of cooking [except for grilling, since that's sort of a hassle and takes more effort than any one dinner thing] are my friends, and since I am part German [haha] I have a bit of the mixologist in me, which means I get random ideas to throw in this or that ingredient that has next to nothing to do with the meal.

However, I don't cook often. It is not a necessity for me to cook for myself, and the one day a week I used to, I relinquished since the spring because I was wearing myself out at work. And my repitore is often limited to what is in the refridgerator and pantry. So though on that one day I'd love to make clam chowder, I settle for chicken cordon bleu because I don't have clams [for example]. I am also STUPENDOUSLY indecisive. I could sit in a room full of my favorite foods and still starve to death because I wouldn't be able to decide what I want to eat first. So when it is my day to cook, I often stand in front of the refridgerator [doors closed, no energy wasting], contemplating for minutes to hours on end what to make. Nothing comes to me. I don't like to just pop a DiGorno in the oven, though I have done that, but yet, I very rarely want to be all over the kitchen with mixing bowls and whisks and knives flying because of an overly complex dish. I also try not to rehash what we've had the past few nights. And when all the good things are taken, it leaves me with a select few options. Usually, this is okay, because these last few things I end up making, only I make; curry, sushi, French onion soup, pancakes, nabe, etc.

Breakfast is usually cereal, even on the weekends when I have the time to make it. If I'm feeling classy, a bagel may be involved. Very rarely do we eat breakfast together [as in something was prepared for all of us to partake of at once] in my house because we all get up at odd hours, and want whatever we end up making for ourselves. I can make mean French toast and pancakes, and once I get a waffle iron, those are definitely going to be on my menu more often.

Lunch is unusual. In an aforementioned post on my health, I touched on how lunch was either junk food or non existent. But lately, with the rise of picnics--not with Toriberry yet, but with Nobu more--and the ges-sui-kin schedule working out as it is, I've been packing my bento more often. It's a four compartment thing that I've been meaning to take a picture of, that usually is stuffed with leftovers from dinner, octopus hot dogs, fruit, and sandwhich quarters. Usually I make it on ges-sui for ka-moku, since I don't have anything to do besides work on ka-moku. There are supposed to be a certain amount of aesthetics to the bento preperation, in terms of the food groups that go into it, but you know, in the end,. I just want something substantial, and put whatever the hell I want in there. Maybe I will comprise mini-posts of bento. If I remember.

But back to cooking. Yes, this marquis does it, yes, I am fairly good at it, but oddly enough, no, I seem to never know what to prepare. However, dinner got dumped on me a week ago, and so when finished wracking my brains, firing up the stove-top, and plating, I at last remembered to take a picture.

Tada~ behold, shrimp pasta with mini quiche and buttered green beans. Incredibly simple, amazingly tasty. If I had thought about it, I would've taken a picture of mom or dad's plate, since I put red and orange peppers on their spaghetti [I'll eat em, but since I'm controlling the meal, I didn't put them on], thus making it a bit more colorful. We were severely lacking on groceries when I made this, so I was a bit limited to frozen things [no the noodles weren't frozen]. Some feta cheese--later--crumbled on top or a spoonful of alfredo sauce makes it your own meal. Whatever you like; whatever's in your cabinets and fridge. I often put bacon bits on top of my greenbeans, even though those greens are yummy on their own. If you have other noodles besides spaghetti, don't make it a squiggly doodle; go ahead and dump those bow ties in. Hell, if i had more soumen, I would've used that. Instead of mini-quiches, maybe you'll put a few triangles of spanikopita as a side, or make garlic bread with tomato sauce to dunk it in.

As I always like to say, just keep your juices flowing. Don't let lack of ingredients stop you from creating a tasty meal. If you like eggs, hard-boil one and add it to any salad or entree; same with deli-sliced ham lightly pan fried. It's whatever you want and have on you.

I don't know when the next time I'll be cooking a "full blown" meal will be, but there are definitely pictures to be had for the bento and treats I plan to prepare for tomorrow's meet up. I have some azuki bean paste from my ever favorite Asian food market Super Grand, and I have a thought to make mini pancakes, smear the red bean deliciousness between two, and quarter them. If you don't have time ingredients to make panckaes, toast is a great supplement. If I had whipped cream, it make a great dipping side. Instant dorayaki. The octopus hot dogs are definitely on the menu too. I make mine on my George Forman grill, and they curl up great.

Damn all this talk about food and I haven't had anything for lunch yet [plus chewing gum and fuming makes me hungrier]. I think I'm due for an om nom.

Tou zakaru memory, waka chiate memory~
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak