Have you read Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass? They are fantastic and such quick reads. They are clever and whimsical. Such a good spring time book, in my opinion, and a definite for your bookshelf.
When Michael and I stopped in a used book store, which I think specializes in rare books, the man working there is apparently a HUGE fan of the Alice stories and he told me to get the Annotated Alice, but I forgot. The copy that I bought at a different used book store (not the one I had seen earlier in February in their window because it was $50) on the Downtown Mall had notes about some of the satire in the book. Honestly I didn't read all the notes, but the introduction was interesting and I'm not interested enough to read about every poem and song recited and sung. But if you are then I'm telling you that an annotated version exists.
I Netflix'd Disney's Alice in Wonderland and it came in today! It's been forever since I've seen it. There seem to be several versions out but I'm thinking I'll stick with Disney. I haven't seen the new Alice in Wonderland since it costs an arm and a leg to go to the movies here.
My next book is Picture Perfect by Jodi Piccoult. What are you reading?
3.30.2010
I LOVE WASHING DISHES
No, seriously.* Check me out. Nasty sticky peanut butter from the Beef Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce disaster of 2010**? Not a problem!
Dry wrinkly chipped nail polish post dishwashing hands? No more!
Wishing you could look sassy even while cleaning? Now an everyday possibility! Thanks to my friend who knows me all too well :) My path to Domestic Goddess-ness is now a little shorter.
* Sh! Don't tell my husband.
* *The Beef Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce disaster of 2010 will be covered at the end of the week in a new post of recipe reviews.
Dry wrinkly chipped nail polish post dishwashing hands? No more!
Wishing you could look sassy even while cleaning? Now an everyday possibility! Thanks to my friend who knows me all too well :) My path to Domestic Goddess-ness is now a little shorter.
* Sh! Don't tell my husband.
* *The Beef Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce disaster of 2010 will be covered at the end of the week in a new post of recipe reviews.
Spring Walks
We're so happy it's warmed up. Time to start our daily walks again. Theo found this branch on the way up the hill.
The trees are in bloom! The ones that I showed you last year are in bloom across the street and it almost looks like they are covered with snow. Here's a picture from our walk. Can you see someone else who is happy to see the flowers?
When we get home we chill out. On our bed that had been temporarily placed on the dining room chair.
I am anxiously awaiting the tulips! Last year they were in bloom all over the city. I saw a few yellow ones just up the hill from us.
The trees are in bloom! The ones that I showed you last year are in bloom across the street and it almost looks like they are covered with snow. Here's a picture from our walk. Can you see someone else who is happy to see the flowers?
When we get home we chill out. On our bed that had been temporarily placed on the dining room chair.
I am anxiously awaiting the tulips! Last year they were in bloom all over the city. I saw a few yellow ones just up the hill from us.
3.21.2010
More from the Kitchen
We made Shrimp Creole on Friday. Another winner from our Southern Living: 40 Years of Our Best Recipes. If you've had my mom's "shrimp stuff" (given to her by Margaret, I think) then I think this recipe is what that recipe is based on. Got that? "Shrimp stuff" is more like a casserole version. The flavors in Shrimp Creole are deeeeeelish and I think it's easily a new favorite shrimp recipe for me.
Now you can marvel at what Michael dubbed the "mancake." He flipped that thing all by himself.
Sidenote: We used Fannie Farmer's griddlecake recipe and it does not disappoint.
Here is a pretty blah recipe we tried in the Southern Living cookbook- Sweet Glazed Chicken Thighs. It's under the "Light & Loving It" section so maybe that explains its blah-ness. After all that whisking to make the glaze, it had no flavor.
We had to buy pineapple juice for this and the only pineapple juice Michael could find was a giant can. We resourcefully put some to use along with some orange juice and rum (from the Bananas Foster letdown). While the can of juice was only about $2 we decided to save the rest and I suggested we have a friendly competition to each find a recipe that calls for pineapple juice. I think I already found the winner. Muahahahahahaaa. Whoops, didn't I say friendly? hehe
Now you can marvel at what Michael dubbed the "mancake." He flipped that thing all by himself.
Sidenote: We used Fannie Farmer's griddlecake recipe and it does not disappoint.
Here is a pretty blah recipe we tried in the Southern Living cookbook- Sweet Glazed Chicken Thighs. It's under the "Light & Loving It" section so maybe that explains its blah-ness. After all that whisking to make the glaze, it had no flavor.
We had to buy pineapple juice for this and the only pineapple juice Michael could find was a giant can. We resourcefully put some to use along with some orange juice and rum (from the Bananas Foster letdown). While the can of juice was only about $2 we decided to save the rest and I suggested we have a friendly competition to each find a recipe that calls for pineapple juice. I think I already found the winner. Muahahahahahaaa. Whoops, didn't I say friendly? hehe
3.16.2010
And the Winners are...
You're wondering why I all of a sudden have the time to update the blog? Yep, I have a sore throat. I subbed yesterday in my favorite classroom and my throat got progressively worse. So I'm not at the toy store today. And Tuesday's are my favorite day to work there. Mostly because we're not as busy and I can chat with customers and help receive and put out new inventory (which I happen to enjoy doing.) Good news about the toy store- I picked up two shifts during the week that I have spring break since Michael doesn't have a break that week. Score!
I forgot to talk about the Academy Awards a few posts ago. It was a long post and really the awards should have their own post. First I would like to say that I need to step up my movie watching before the awards next year. Not only because I didn't get to watch all the Best Picture nominees, but I also hadn't seen Julie and Julia for which Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Actress among other films like Crazy Heart, which had quite a few nominations.
About the red carpet- Rachel McAdam's dress was by far my favorite. Mom noticed big buttons on the back and I totally missed it (since I was knitting during the show. for shame!) and I haven't managed to find a picture. Here's a picture of the dress. I hope I'm citing it correctly.
I forgot to talk about the Academy Awards a few posts ago. It was a long post and really the awards should have their own post. First I would like to say that I need to step up my movie watching before the awards next year. Not only because I didn't get to watch all the Best Picture nominees, but I also hadn't seen Julie and Julia for which Meryl Streep was nominated for Best Actress among other films like Crazy Heart, which had quite a few nominations.
About the red carpet- Rachel McAdam's dress was by far my favorite. Mom noticed big buttons on the back and I totally missed it (since I was knitting during the show. for shame!) and I haven't managed to find a picture. Here's a picture of the dress. I hope I'm citing it correctly.
Picture copyright: Rick Rowell / ABC
Next, I'll tell you that I thought the hosts did an awful job. Well, whoever wrote the script did a terrible job. In my opinion the most prestigious awards night should celebrate those nominated - not belittle them. There were a few really great acceptance speeches. My absolute favorite being Christoph Waltz's (Best Supporting Actor in Inglourious Basterds). The link is to his speech. You should watch it even if you didn't see the movie.
And what the heck Sean Penn? Get over yourself, for real. From what I understood when he got to the mic to announce the winner for Best Actress he meant that Meryl Streep better be the name inside the envelope. Now, I didn't see The Blind Side but Sandra Bullock is generally unimpressive so maybe she finally delivered a more than decent attempt at acting? We'll talk more about this when I finally see the movie. Anyway, I finally saw Julie and Julia last night. I enjoyed it. Meryl Streep was fantastic, and she was fantastic in Doubt last year. I suppose the academy is accustomed to her nailing her roles. I mean, Kate Winslet in The Reader? You can't pass up the opportunity to award her for that. What I mean is that Sean Penn shouldn't be nasty. You might as well have had Kanye West up there to put a damper on Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech a la the 2009 Video Music Awards. Recognizing the year's best actress is not the time or the place.
Here's a list of all the winners. Congratulations to The Hurt Locker and to Kathryn Bigelow for winning the oscar for directing The Hurt Locker. She's the first female to win for Best Directing (not to mention she's James Cameron's ex-wife). I was really hoping Inglourious Basterds would win, but I'm so happy that Avatar didn't.
I thought the show would have potential with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-hosting. I hope they find better writers next year.
And what the heck Sean Penn? Get over yourself, for real. From what I understood when he got to the mic to announce the winner for Best Actress he meant that Meryl Streep better be the name inside the envelope. Now, I didn't see The Blind Side but Sandra Bullock is generally unimpressive so maybe she finally delivered a more than decent attempt at acting? We'll talk more about this when I finally see the movie. Anyway, I finally saw Julie and Julia last night. I enjoyed it. Meryl Streep was fantastic, and she was fantastic in Doubt last year. I suppose the academy is accustomed to her nailing her roles. I mean, Kate Winslet in The Reader? You can't pass up the opportunity to award her for that. What I mean is that Sean Penn shouldn't be nasty. You might as well have had Kanye West up there to put a damper on Sandra Bullock's acceptance speech a la the 2009 Video Music Awards. Recognizing the year's best actress is not the time or the place.
Here's a list of all the winners. Congratulations to The Hurt Locker and to Kathryn Bigelow for winning the oscar for directing The Hurt Locker. She's the first female to win for Best Directing (not to mention she's James Cameron's ex-wife). I was really hoping Inglourious Basterds would win, but I'm so happy that Avatar didn't.
I thought the show would have potential with Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin co-hosting. I hope they find better writers next year.
The Barracks Road Shopping Center Glacier
Yep, that's snow. Chipotle is somewhere on the other side of it. I took this picture last Friday. Unfortunately we'll probably never know how long it will take to melt since they'll most likely be hauling it off somewhere.
3.14.2010
March Madness
There's something nasty going around the schools here so please forgive my absence- I've been very busy. I've managed to stay healthy which is key when you're the substitute. Michael caught a cold last week and I'm crossing my fingers that I haven't caught it.
Anyway, I went home on the fourth for a friend's wedding. I threw a few extra days in there so I could spend time with my family. As a bonus, Myriam and Dan also came in for the weekend. It was quite convenient that my plane landed in New Orleans around lunch time on Thursday. We lunched at Mr. B's and had roast beef sandwiches on Best Bakery's french bread for dinner followed by my cookie cake birthday cake with "lots of words" on it to maximize icing. If you've ever read the blog Cakewrecks then you'll appreciate this (even though the wording was intentional due to a lack of inspiration). Also, I obviously could not wait to tear into it so you're missing the "25 years old" at the bottom. I guess this silly cake turns out to be everything I could have wished for since that blog makes me cry laughing.
Oh man, I love cookie cake. Moving on. Friday Mom and I got a pedicure! We went to the grocery store with Mimi and then we went to dinner at The Grapevine. Sadly the restaurant is for sale and I have been trying to go there the past few times we've been home. Myriam and Dan met us there and we had a fabulous time as we always do.
Saturday Mom, Mim and I had to go shoe shopping. I found the shoes I've been looking for and they were on sale. Holla! Dan and Mom played croquet while Mim and I soaked up the afternoon sun on a blanket. This was cut short since I had to get ready to go to the wedding in New Orleans.
Granny's Grill was open on Sunday. My two grandmothers lunch at my parents' house weekly. One of them coined the name. After lunch and February/ March birthday cupcakes we played croquet. Dan is apparently a croquet master. I would really like to see a game with him and Brent who is also very skilled. The rest of us are pretty pathetic and the most joy comes from sending off other player's balls into oblivion. Here we are demonstrating the first move of the "croquet dance" which is performed when you do something exciting like actually get your ball through a wicket. Impressed by my terminology? Here are the official rules of croquet. (Mel- we were WAY off.) Also, I call for a rematch and this time I'll wear sunscreen so my game isn't affected by the tingle of sunburn on my forearm.
I left feeling rejuvenated from such a long winter and I returned to 64 degrees. Finally. And I'll leave you with some more dry cleaner humor.
Anyway, I went home on the fourth for a friend's wedding. I threw a few extra days in there so I could spend time with my family. As a bonus, Myriam and Dan also came in for the weekend. It was quite convenient that my plane landed in New Orleans around lunch time on Thursday. We lunched at Mr. B's and had roast beef sandwiches on Best Bakery's french bread for dinner followed by my cookie cake birthday cake with "lots of words" on it to maximize icing. If you've ever read the blog Cakewrecks then you'll appreciate this (even though the wording was intentional due to a lack of inspiration). Also, I obviously could not wait to tear into it so you're missing the "25 years old" at the bottom. I guess this silly cake turns out to be everything I could have wished for since that blog makes me cry laughing.
Oh man, I love cookie cake. Moving on. Friday Mom and I got a pedicure! We went to the grocery store with Mimi and then we went to dinner at The Grapevine. Sadly the restaurant is for sale and I have been trying to go there the past few times we've been home. Myriam and Dan met us there and we had a fabulous time as we always do.
Saturday Mom, Mim and I had to go shoe shopping. I found the shoes I've been looking for and they were on sale. Holla! Dan and Mom played croquet while Mim and I soaked up the afternoon sun on a blanket. This was cut short since I had to get ready to go to the wedding in New Orleans.
Granny's Grill was open on Sunday. My two grandmothers lunch at my parents' house weekly. One of them coined the name. After lunch and February/ March birthday cupcakes we played croquet. Dan is apparently a croquet master. I would really like to see a game with him and Brent who is also very skilled. The rest of us are pretty pathetic and the most joy comes from sending off other player's balls into oblivion. Here we are demonstrating the first move of the "croquet dance" which is performed when you do something exciting like actually get your ball through a wicket. Impressed by my terminology? Here are the official rules of croquet. (Mel- we were WAY off.) Also, I call for a rematch and this time I'll wear sunscreen so my game isn't affected by the tingle of sunburn on my forearm.
I left feeling rejuvenated from such a long winter and I returned to 64 degrees. Finally. And I'll leave you with some more dry cleaner humor.
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