The disappointment has stopped hitting me as a surprise. Regrettably, after 8 years, I have to say that it’s something I’ve come to expect.
Even with the combined efforts of my fingers and toes, I don’t think I could count the number of times I’ve been left stranded. Always filled to the brim with frustration and just a hair – a thin one – under pissed off enough to smash in my headlights.
Instead, I compose myself, outwardly at least, and grit my teeth to unearth my phone. I send the bat signal to one of the few numbers I know by heart, call for backup, and wait.
Even though standing over the engine makes me feel like a sham, I always do it. Apart from checking fluids and changing the oil, I’m about as useless under the hood as the temperamentally bewitched collection of metal, rubber, and plastic pieces beneath me. But still, I examine. I know just enough about car engines to have a very basic understanding of things, but not a lick more. Sometimes that’s enough for a proper diagnosis… other times it’s not. But still. It makes me feel better. Somehow.
It’s not every week of course, that something goes wrong, but there’s nothing quite like the inconvenience of a break down to scar your memory, is there? After the third time, it becomes a joke. An angry one told in curse words and distaste – but a joke nonetheless. Anyway, at the end of it, I’ve come to realize that my life is a comedy of car problems. Perhaps not unlike yours? It can’t just be me.
But, through it all, I’ve learned two important things about cars that I’d like to share with you here:
1) Stop. For the love God, if your car is behaving weird(er than normal. Normal is, of course, subjective), just stop.
2) Never trust your car. Ever. This is a point which, unfortunately, brings us back to the beginning of the story.
I’m very lucky that my dad is able and willing to help me when I have car problems. He’s a car whisperer, and he knows what parts are good, what parts are bad, and when a shop is bullshitting me if I’m dumb (desperate?) enough to take it to anyone else. I’m also very lucky that I have friends who are willing to help me when I need it.
However, I’m not at the point where buying a new car – the obvious solution here, I am aware – is a distinct possibility. As frustrated as I can get with my mode of transportation, there’s no doubting that the repairs have – so far – always been less than a car payment. The biggest inconvenience here is really on Dad, who so generously sacrifices his free time to repair it.
Until it begins to piss him off as much as it does me… I’ll just continue to put all my spare change where it counts: student loans.
Bacon Fat Croissants
The recipe I always follow for croissants is so perfect and so detailed that I’m hesitant to reprint it here – I wouldn’t do it justice. Instead, I suggest checking out this site for lots of instructions for reproducing the croissants from America’s Test Kitchen. There are lots and lots of photos, which is something I appreciate.
The changes I made to the recipe above were minor, but delicious. I substituted bacon fat for some of the butter. To be more precise: I used 7.2 oz of rendered bacon fat plus 4.8 oz of the best butter I could afford (since I don’t have a car payment, ya know?). Beyond that, I just sprinkled the tops with flaky sea salt before baking. I figured they’d benefit from the addition.
I was right.
These look absolutely amazing! I love that you thought of substituting some of the butter with the bacon fat! Also, I feel you on the car troubles. That used to be me ALL the time. Luckily my current car hasn’t caused me too many issues!
Thanks, Megan!! And yes – I forgot to add that I discussed it with Fanny from Like a Strawberry Milk. I need to make that edit tonight when I get home.
Glad your car is working out well for you for now! Hopefully I’ll get to a happy spot with mine soon 😀
Cool idea. I pop popcorn in bacon grease and it’s awesome. It’s a great substitute for oil.
WHY HAVE I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT? What a brilliant idea! I love to use it in place of butter. I used it for a roux for mac and cheese awhile back and it made me sooooooo happy 😀
UGH car problems. The worst. Makes me happy that I don’t really drive. My husband actually showed me a video on YouTube the other day where a guy and a girl went into a few different repair shops with the same car with same (minor) problem…and they got COMPLETELY different quotes. They definitely tried to rip off the girl, like whoa.
These croissants are a dream. A. DREAM.
Gah, that doesn’t surprise me at all. Car shops are awful – I’m so lucky my dad can help me out! Although, for now, I’m enjoying being driven around by the boy 😉
Try the recipe!! They’re so amazing – even without the bacon fat 🙂
This is incredible! I have been too afraid to make croissants yet, but I really want to make them! I love the sea salt on top – that’s just brilliant. Your photos are to die for, and that sandwich is making me hungry!
Thank you so much, Erica! You should try them! They’re so fun and rewarding to make. I love watching them puff up in the oven 🙂
When did you add the bacon fat to the croissants and was it chilled? The croissants look lovely and I always wanted to try and make them. I’ve been a long time follower and never commented, I love your blog!
Hi Jeanette! It’s nice to meet you – thank you for reading 🙂
I should have been more clear in the description – sorry about that! I chilled the bacon fat, and spread it over the butter block. Then I just folded as normal! I think it would also work well to soften the butter, blend in the chilled bacon fat, then shape and chill before continuing.
I really recommend making croissants. Even just with butter. It’s such a rewarding project!
What a brilliant idea for croissants!
Thanks, Jennifer! It’s super tasty 😀
YES to these. as a lactard, i’ve been hesitant to attempt making croissants, i’ve played with the idea of using ghee (which is lactose free) but never gotten around to it. we currently have a jarful of bacon fat hanging out in our fridge and THIS NEEDS TO BE MADE.
ps. i hope your car woes are done. it’s so hard to go from no car payment to having one.
Oh please try it! I bet it would work with 100% bacon fat! And you never know until you try, eh?!
I am afraid to say it, but car seems ok lately… A tire is loosing air though. Boo!!!
PS, I have never heard lactard before and it made me LOL! I’m sorry you have to deal with that though!