Basking in our productivity, I began reading a book and he began doing whatever mysterious things he does on his uber-computer. We’d been basking for a few minutes when Auri (cat #2) came hopping into the living room and started yelling at us. She’s fairly vocal so while we asked her what was up, I don’t think either of us actually thought something really was. She relented and headed back toward the kitchen with Oscar (cat #1) trailing behind her. We continued to bask.

Still heady from my sense of accomplishment, I asked Matt to get me some water. He walked into the kitchen and was met by a very special surprise.

The dishwasher decided to expand its bubbly horizons onto our kitchen floor (much like in this picture). While the image isn’t our dishwasher, based on the number of images I found when searching for overflowing dishwashers, we aren’t alone.

So, in addition to my other accomplishments, I’ve mopped the kitchen floor using a towel and my feet. When we moved, we decided to get rid of the mop and use a Swiffer. I’m now questioning that decision.

We have no clue why exactly the dishwasher decided today was the day to express its displeasure on behalf of forced mechanical household labor, but maintenance will be here later to tell us. I’m just hoping the washing machine doesn’t join the cause.

So, in honor of the new spice rack, I started thinking (inspired further, of course, by GraphJam):

If my life depended on identifying spices I own by taste, I’d die. I can identify some by smell (maybe). I couldn’t describe them to you or actually tell you what they do or rather, are supposed to do to food, “Salt good. Too much pepper bad. Garlic good. Too much salt bad.”

Some spices I started using because I stumbled on them in a recipe who knows when for who knows what. Other spices, I use out of habit, such as always putting oregano, parsley, basil, and garlic in spaghetti sauce. I learned it that way and it works. I’ve never questioned it.

Some spices in my cupboard are a mystery. Turmeric. What’s it do? It turns things yellow. What’s it taste like? It turns things yellow. It goes in curries. Curries are often yellow.

Yes, I’m acknowledging my ignorance. The sad thing is I really do like to cook and I like to imagine that I know what I’m doing sometimes. I think I’ll spend some time with my cookbooks and hold off on the trips to Penzey’s for six different kinds of pepper until I get my bearings.