Monday, August 31, 2009

Monday Meme

I stole this from Laura.

Outside my window…
Kids are getting for school tomorrow.

I am thinking…
about the work week.

I am thankful for…

the people I have in my life, my hubby, my friends, my family.

From the kitchen…
I'm making pizza right now.

I am wearing…
black capris and a purple tshirt.

I am creating…
blog posts in my mind.

I am going…
to Bumbershoot this weekend.

I am reading…
DMZ vol 6.

I am praying…

For my 3 pregnant friends to have save and healthy pregnancies!

I am hearing…
Men In Black on tv.

Around the house…
I need to reduce some of the clutter.

One of my favorite things…
is curling up with Tai and just talking.

A few plans for the rest of the week…
Pretty peaceful this week. I'll pick a winner for my giveaway tonight. I have some laundry to finish up during the week. Maybe dinner out with Tai on Friday. Saturday maybe a party at a friend's house.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Currently....

creating
I decided to play around and Mad Men myself. I look pretty fierce as a 1950's gal. Love the dress and the blue eye shadow!

reading
As you know Tai and I started the Sookie Stackhouse series. We both liked the first book and can't wait to continue the series.

eating
Tai brought this licorice home last month from Trader Joe's. I love it. I cannot stop eating it. And I usually dislike strawberry licorice. But this stuff is so yummy!

disliking
I haven't talked about something I tried and didn't like, but I really don't like these floss singles. I bought them because I liked that they were precut strips. I thought they might make flossing a little easier, but it's the worst floss. It doesn't glide at all and is a struggle to use. Plus I obviously use more that 18" of floss at a time because I've had to use 2 packages most night. I'll pass next time!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Good With The Bad

In case you don't follow me on twitter, you missed that I got an iPhone this week!It arrived on Tuesday and I was so excited to get it up and running. While I was waiting for it to charge, I busied myself around the house. I went to the bathroom to clean up when I heard a drip. I assumed Tai didn't turn off the bathtub faucet all the way so I checked. But nope it was firmly turned off but the drip continued so I looked up and saw:
In case you can't see it there is a bulge and a small crack with water dripping out. I immediately headed over to the manger's for them to get this fixed. As of right now we have a hole where the crack was. There's a pipe leaking in the apartment above us so hopefully this will all get fixed soon!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
Another Tai heavy loot this week. Tai was seriously plowing through books but now that he started his new job this week, he won't be able to keep up with all this reading.
Bitten is a new series that Tai found. It's about a female werewolf. Sounds interesting. And Mistral's Kiss is the next book in the Merry Gentry series. I inadvertently skipped this one so he read A Lick of Frost out of sequence. Oh well!
What did you get this week?

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

A Bagel, Lox and Some Shmear

On Saturday Tai decided he wanted bagels and cream cheese with lox. There's only one place near us I would go for such items-Gilberts on Main.
We got there early enough that there was no line. I've been there when there is a line out the door and no tables to be found.
I got what we came there for:And Tai got the lox and eggs scramble.
Very yummy. Everything hit the spot. We even got some bagels to go for later.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Old Bay Giveaway

This post is brought to you by the number 2, in honor of my 2nd blogaversary!

I was recently contacted by Old Bay Seasoning to do a couple of recipes highlighting Old Bay and to host a giveaway.
I love Old Bay Seasoning. I've been using it for about 10 years. It's my fall back seasoning since I discovered it. This week I'm going to show how I use Old Bay Seasoning. First, my favorite hamburgers.
I always make hamburgers the same way. Ground beef, a couple of tablespoons of Old Bay and a couple of tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce. It's quick and easy and my burgers are never dry.
The nice people at Old Bay have offered a gift bag for the giveaway. They sent me the same thing. I was so glad to get another container of Old Bay. I was running out!
Here's a picture of the gift bag:
The rules of the giveaway:
*Only open to US residents only
*Post a comment on this post.
*Entries will be accepted til Monday August 31 at 5 pm PST.
*I'll announce a winner on Tuesday September 1st.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Review-Catching Fire by Richard Wrangham


From Publishers Weekly
Contrary to the dogmas of raw-foods enthusiasts, cooked cuisine was central to the biological and social evolution of humanity, argues this fascinating study. Harvard biological anthropologist Wrangham (Demonic Males) dates the breakthrough in human evolution to a moment 1.8 million years ago, when, he conjectures, our forebears tamed fire and began cooking. Starting with Homo erectus—who should perhaps be renamed Homo gastronomicus—these innovations drove anatomical and physiological changes that make us adapted to eating cooked food the way cows are adapted to eating grass. By making food more digestible and easier to extract energy from, Wrangham reasons, cooking enabled hominids' jaws, teeth and guts to shrink, freeing up calories to fuel their expanding brains. It also gave rise to pair bonding and table manners, and liberated mankind from the drudgery of chewing (while chaining womankind to the stove). Wrangham's lucid, accessible treatise ranges across nutritional science, paleontology and studies of ape behavior and hunter-gatherer societies; the result is a tour de force of natural history and a profound analysis of cooking's role in daily life. More than that, Wrangham offers a provocative take on evolution—suggesting that, rather than humans creating civilized technology, civilized technology created us.

I've been reading more nonfiction especially surrounding food. I added this one to my tbr list because Tai and I had a conversation about how people started cooking food. This book doesn't confirm any theories how cooking food started, but it does show why we eat cooked food.
The first part talks about raw diets for humans vs cooked food diets. I had been toying with trying a raw food diet. But this book changed my mind about it. I certainly don't disagree that some foods are better raw and help cleanse your body, but switching to an entirely raw diet can actually give you less energy over the long term.
The second part talks about how cooked food helped humans evolve to modern man and why cooked food is better for us. Although too much soft food can lead to obesity. And the third part talks about the sexual division of cooking. All but 4 societies around the world the women do the main cooking for the household/community. Good to know it's not just us. The four societies where men do the main cooking are all reliant on breadfruit. And to break down the breadfruit into a mash requires a lot of strength so men get together as a group to make it.
Anyway, Catching Fire taught me more about how cooking food changed our species. There was a lot of anthropological and biological information that was more than I ever wanted to know. I would recommend this if you were really interested in the evolution of humans and how cooking contributed to it.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
Another Tai heavy library loot this week. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is for Tai. He's never read this book. Firefly Lane was recommended to me by a friend. She's hoping we'll read it for book club. I'll try it. Bored of the Rings was recommended to us by Sabrina. Tai's already started it. He's enjoying and definitely laughing. Northlander is a new to me series from Brian Wood who wrote DMZ which is the next book I brought home.
What did you get this week?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Totally Creepy Soaps

I was talking to a friend over the weekend and she mentioned how she wanted to buy this soap:
Creepy baby hand soap. Ew. She also said she wanted to make a hand dish to hold the soap in. A little too much hand things in her bathroom.
So what other creepy soap products are out there.How about soap that grows fur? And a tiny mouse embedded in the soap as a reward when you finish the bar. Bizarre.
How about soap shaped like a pair of cowboy boots? Looks too much like chocolate. I might try to eat that.Soap in the shape of peanuts? I don't know why these don't really look like peanuts to me.
For me soap should be in a bar or liquid. I'm closed minded that way :)

Monday, August 17, 2009

Review-The Stone Gods by Jeanette Winterson

From Publishers Weekly
Prize-winning Brit Winterson applies her fantastical touch to a sci-fi, postapocalyptic setting. Heroine Billie Crusoe appears in three different end-of-the-world scenarios, allowing Winterson to explore the repetitive and destructive nature of human history and an inability (or unwillingness) of people to learn from previous mistakes. In the first section, inhabitants of the pollution-choked planet Orbus have discovered Planet Blue (Earth), and soon set about launching an asteroid at it to kill the dinosaurs that would prevent them from colonizing the planet. The second and third sections are set on Earth in 1774 and then in the Post-3 War era. Though passionate condemnations of global warming and war appear frequently, the book also contains a triptych love story: Billie meets Spike, a female Robo sapien capable of emotion and evolution, and falls (reluctantly) in love with her. In each of the scenarios, Billie and Spike (or versions of them) fall in love anew while encroaching annihilation looms in the background. Winterson's lapses into polemic can be tedious, but her prose—as stunning, lyrical and evocative as ever—and intelligence easily carry the book.

I don't think I understood this book. I read the first third and really like it. But then the next part didn't make any sense to me. The last part made more sense but I knew what was going to happen.
The same two characters meet in each part. They fall in love as a catastrophe looms. The first time they meet really sucked me in. I really liked Billie. She struggled against her feelings. She made sense to me. The world was slowly dying and she found a life worth living. The dichotomy of that was striking.
I can't really recommend this book and I can't not. I'm sort of conflicted. If you do read, let me know if I missed something.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Meme

I was excited to learn about Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 14-18. I quickly signed up. This seems like the first of a few memes to get to know other book bloggers.

1) What has been one of the highlights of blogging for you?
Getting to meet so many great people, being exposed to so many different ideas.
2) What blogger has helped you out with your blog by answering questions, linking to you, or inspiring you?
Gosh, so many people have helped me. Valerie gave me some great photography tips. Sabrina helped me find a blog template. Staci, Eva, Diane, Blodeuedd help me find some great books. Cindy, Jennifer, S, Amy, Tiffany, Erin, Lisa, Rachel, Linda, Erin, Meg, Very Married and Laura for all their encouragement and helpful advice.
3) What one question do you have about BBAW that someone who participated last year could answer?
No questions at this time. Just excited to participate and hope others will join too!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!
A lot of loot for Tai this week. Starting at the top row, we have Wizard's First Rule. Tai's friend called him raving about Legend of the Seeker. The show's based on these books. Tai says the show is a little campy. It's by the same people as Xena. The next book is the next in the DMZ series, book 5. Then there is Fluke by Christopher Moore for me. It's the next book on my Filling In the Gaps Challenge.
On the bottom, starting at the right, we have the next book in the Merry Gentry series. Then the next book in the Ender's series-A War of Gifts. And lastly Tai decided to read the Southern Vampire Mysteries aka Sookie Stackhouse books. So I'm going to read them too.
I posted my review of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants over on the Filling In The Gaps blog.
What did you get this week?

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I <3 Nemi!

Thank you, thank you to Linda for suggesting these books to me. I do love a good comic strip especially one about such a cool woman!
Nemi is dresses in goth fashion. She's sarcastic. She has a hard time not saying what's on her mind. I highly recommend checking out her comic strip. Here are a few of them I found on the interwebs.
Nemi is written and drawn by Lise Myhre, one talented woman. I love her drawings as well as the smart, funny things Nemi says.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Confession

I think you might have all guessed by now. I like food. I like to eat. I like to eat a lot of things-fruits, veggies, meats, pies, cakes, donuts, tofu, ice cream, yogurt. I'll have a salad with organic veggies with a Totino's pizza. I'll buy non-GMO tofu and stop at Micky D's for chicken nuggets. I'm definitely all over the place food wise.
I recently read Food Matters by Mark Bittman and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollen. I felt that if you read one you really didn't need to read the other. They say the same thing-don't eat processed food, limit meat consumption, and eat all the veggies you want. And I agree while I eat my pizza pocket!
For the past couple of weeks I've been beating myself up about my food choices. I eat a lot of processed food. I wish I didn't but I do. I don't have time to make everything from scratch. Somethings have to be from a box (pasta) or from a can (tomato sauce) for me. According to Pollen and Bittman I need to give up those items and toward less processed foods. Le sigh, I've been wracking my brain on how to do that without quiting work.
Then another food writer, someone I truly admire decided to share her words on the topic. Nancy Lesson writes for the Seattle Times about food. And on Friday she wrote this article about the same thing I was grappling with. Nancy's right. We can be all things rather than being caught up in what we are doing "wrong". Instead of getting upset that I can't buy all organic food, I will buy it when I can (cause it's expensive!). I will support local growers first and national chains last. I will continue to try new things and be open to new possiblities. I will continue to enjoy food and encourage others to do as well!
Alright that's settled now. Excuse me while I make some Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Currently....

eating
Limited edition Coconut M&M's! I was so excited when I saw them at the store. I love coconut. So yummy. Coconut flavored chocolate!

needing

I need more skirts. I rarely wear them but I wore a couple last week. It was so hot and I enjoyed wearing them. I got a lot of compliments! I'd love to find a couple more.

loving
We went out for crab dinner the other night. I love crab and I'm looking forward to going back again. I found a restaurant with all you can eat crab legs on Mondays. Oh I want to go now!

Happy Wedding Day to Laura! Congrats sweetie. I hope it's a wonderful day.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Chicken with Peanut Sauce over Noodles

I've attempted peanut sauce before with poor results. But I was in adventurous mood the other night and tried again. I adapted this recipe for my purposes. I left out all the veggies and added chicken. I'd love to try it again with tofu. I think that would really work well. The sauce clung to the noodles and made them so yummy (just plain spaghetti noodles). I found my new peanut sauce!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!This book wound up on my tbr list after a coincidence. Tai and I started talking about how people started cooking food. We weren't near a computer where we could look on Wiki. I kind of forgot about it for a couple of days until I saw this book on Seattle Metblogs.
I posted my review of Food Matters on the Filling In The Gaps blog. I also finished the first Wicked Lovely manga. I enjoyed it. I don't know if I'll read the rest of them. It was ok but not as good as the books. I finished Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants as well. I'll do a review over on the Filling In The Gaps blog.
What did you get this week?




Monday, August 3, 2009

Review-Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

From Simon & Shuster:

Addie Downs and Valerie Adler will be best friends forever. That's what Addie believes after Valerie moves across the street when they're both nine years old. But in the wake of betrayal during their teenage years, Val is swept into the popular crowd, while mousy, sullen Addie becomes her school's scapegoat.

Flash-forward fifteen years. Valerie Adler has found a measure of fame and fortune working as the weathergirl at the local TV station. Addie Downs lives alone in her parents' house in their small hometown of Pleasant Ridge, Illinois, caring for a troubled brother and trying to meet Prince Charming on the Internet. She's just returned from Bad Date #6 when she opens her door to find her long-gone best friend standing there, a terrified look on her face and blood on the sleeve of her coat. "Something horrible has happened," Val tells Addie, "and you're the only one who can help."

Best Friends Forever is a grand, hilarious, edge-of-your-seat adventure; a story about betrayal and loyalty, family history and small-town secrets. It's about living through tragedy, finding love where you least expect it, and the ties that keep best friends together.

When I read Jennifer Weiner's first book, Good In Bed, I was so happy. I found an author who could make me laugh, cry and shout for joy when her characters found love. I stayed up all night to finish Good In Bed. But I didn't find the same kind of feeling with In Her Shoes, Little Earthquakes, Certain Girls or Goodnight Nobody. I sadly was about to give up on Jennifer's books.

But I decided to give this book a try and I'm happy to report that I've fallen in love with Jennifer's writing all over again. I indentified with Addie, who was teased as teen by her classmates, with Valerie, who wanted to be popular even if meant betraying her best friend, and Jordan, who lost love once and thought that he missed his only chance. The character were well written; You felt like you knew them, even from page one.

I hope that Jennifer Weiner's got some more books like this up her sleeve. I'll be looking forward to her next book with high expectations.

Other reviews can be found at Bibliotica, The Loud Librarian, and Julie's Jewels.