Sunday, December 31, 2017

Cook Korean! by Robin Ha

Lately our household has been into Korean food. One of my coworkers in Korean and is always giving me tips and recipes. I spotted Cook Korean on someone else's blog or instagram. I'd love to learn to make more Korean food. I've made Kimchi and we have bi bim bop a couple of times a month. We do love Korean food.

I loved how Ha created a character and uses graphics to show you how to make each dish. The colorful pages really draw you in. I wish more cookbooks were drawn this way. I made it more fun learning to cook.

I didn't have time to make anything before I had to take this one back which was a shame. But I saved some recipes and plan to make more Korean food in 2018. Others who shared their thoughts on Cook Korean!: The He Said, She Said Experience, Blogging For Books, and Cooks Without Borders.
This is my seventh read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Friday, December 29, 2017

2018 Goals



  • Hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Ever since reading Wild, I've wanted to hike a portion of this trail. I'm not going to do the whole thing, just a couple of miles, preferably a day hike. 
  • Learn to knit and crochet. I taught myself how to loom knit this year but I'd like to at least attempt to learn how to knit and crochet.
  • Learn to use the sewing machine I bought. I should take it out of the box!
  • Get rid of 1000 items out of our house. We have so much clutter and I need to work on disposing more of it. 
  • Watch 12 pre-2017 movies. I had this one on my list before and I'm bringing it back. I see a lot of new movies but rarely watch older ones. 
  • Get 90,000 steps at least one week a month. I've done it before. I'd like to do it more often.
  • Finish cleaning out the garage and move my car inside. I didn't get this one done in 2017. 

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.

I've heard of The Queen of The Tearling but I never picked it up. I saw it on some list and thought it looked interesting. 

A chance to learn from Iowa's Best Known Homemaker intrigued me. 

What did you get this week? Are you frantically trying to finish challenges like me or resting up before the new year? Either way, share your loot below.



Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Pretty Good Number One by Matthew Amster-Burton

I must have checked out Pretty Good Number One 4 or 5 times from the library. The story sounded interesting to me. A Seattle family goes to live in Tokyo for a month, mostly to eat. Matthew and his daughter, Iris, are Japanese food fanatics. From yakitori to  Chankonabe to okomiyaki., they went to Japan to try it all. Seattle has decent Japanese community and several Japanese restaurants. Sushi is the most common, but Ramen and, of course Teriyaki, are easy to find. I knew one yakitori joint that diversified their menu and therefore limiting the yakitori available. Pretty Good Number One just pushed Tokyo to the top of my travel wish list.
Amster-Burton's style is conversational. I felt like he was talking to me. And because he lives in Seattle, he made comparisons to things I know. I enjoyed his stories. I learned a lot about Japanese food which surprised me since I already know a lot. Now, back to looking up fares to Tokyo.
Others who shared their thoughts on Pretty Good Number One: Readers Lane, La Fuji Mama, and The adventures of Furochan.
This was my sixth read for the Foodies Read.

2017 Goals Update

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. I found hiking and made it work for me. I'm trying to find more time to hike. I'm going to hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail so look for updates on how that's going in 2018.

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017.  Didn't happen. It's on my goal list for 2018. But I feel like I changed my relationship with stuff. I read How to Manage Your Home without Losing Your Sanity by Dana White this year. She doesn't have a lot of complicated steps. Just do you need it and where are you going to keep it. She also advocates looking for ways to not bring things into your home. Decluttering does not have to be hard.

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. I need more hours in the day to go to a yoga class. I have added a yoga app to my phone so hopefully I can squeeze some in. 

One hour a day without technology (no phone, no computer, no tv). I loved this goal. I enjoy the time I spend outside with Houdini. Not on my phone, just looking at nature. So calming.

Add more art into my life. I liked this goal too. I found that art is everywhere. Sometimes you just have a little harder.

Get back to meal planning. I love my instant pot. I cook at home a lot more. 


December: Make 4 meatless meals. Fail. So hard to for me to skip the meat. 

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.



Since trying to reduce my consumption or just be more thoughtful about it, I enjoy reading about why we have so much.
While searching for another book, I stumbled on this one. Looked cute.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.



After a friend recommended All of A Kind Family, I went down a rabbit hole of similar books. Like this one.

This one looked interesting.

What did you get this week?  Share your loot below.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

November Goal Update

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. Still feeling lazy and incredibly busy. 

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017. Feeling like this might not happen this year. I need to get rid of stuff in the house before I can finish the garage.

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. I tried to take a class but with life so busy I could't find one at a convenient time. 

One hour a day without technology (no phone, no computer, no tv). Still doing good on this one. 

Add more art into my life. Art is everywhere. I love looking for it.

Get back to meal planning. I love my instant pot. I cook at home a lot more. 

November: Get 2 massages. Fail.

December: Make 4 meatless meals.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.



I snagged this one off the shelf at the library. 
Reloot. I really do want to read this one.

Honestly the cover and the title caught my eye.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.


Monday, December 4, 2017

November Book Tally

Rebel Rising by Beth Revis
The Gender Game by Bella Forrest
Deadpool: The World's Greatest by Gerry Duggan
How To Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K White
Sara Moulton's Home Cooking 101 by Sara Moulton
Rettie and the Ragamuffin Parade by Trinka Hakes Noble
All of A Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg

I made more of an effort to read. I'm going to try to get to a 100 so I see a lot of short books in December.


Book Stats:
Foodies Read: 1 (Sara Moulton Home Cooking) YTD: 6
What's In A Name: 1 (Rebel Rising) YTD: 2
Read Harder: 0 (None This month) YTD: 5
Total: 79

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.


I read about this one on a list of good books about mental illness. 

This one looked interesting.

What did you get this week? Share your loot below.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.


I love Brene Brown and I want to read more of her books. 

I love apples. I'm looking forward to some new ways of eating them. 

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.


Thursday, November 9, 2017

October Goal Update

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. No hikes this month. In fact I'm feeling really lazy and like I should do more. But I've been super busy and it feels hard to add more activities. 

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017. I have a couple of days off of work this month. I hope to actually work on cleaning up some rooms and getting rid of stuff.

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. None this month :(

One hour a day without technology (no phone, no computer, no tv). Still doing good on this one. 

Add more art into my life. Still trying to peek in galleries as I walk past.

Get back to meal planning. I'm less meal planning and just using what we have on hand. It works out most days.

October Goal: Eat at home 25 days out of the month. I was really close. I think I cooked like 22 or 23 days this month. 

November: Get 2 massages.

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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 one looked interesting.

I liked the blurb on this one but it's got some iffy reviews. 

My kind of food nonfiction. 

What did you get this week? Share below!


Monday, November 6, 2017

October Book Tally

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix
What Goes Up by Katie Kennedy
Be True To Me by Adele Griffin
While The Duke was Sleeping by Sophie Jordan


So busy, almost no time for reading! Between D&D and knitting, reading really has taken a back seat. My friend told me I read like a normal person now. I want to read more, just hard to find the time!

Book Stats:
Foodies Read: 0 (none this month) YTD: 5
What's In A Name: 0 (None This Month) YTD: 1
Read Harder: 0 (None This month) YTD: 5
Total: 71

Friday, November 3, 2017

Houdini's Favorite Things

Favorite things month begins with Houdini's favorite toys and treats.

Toys


There are several different types of this toy but this is the one that Houdini loves most. He can chew on this for hours. My friend's dogs eat the treats off within minutes. He's impressed that Houdini leaves the treats alone for the most part and just enjoys chewing on the plastic parts.

Houdini loves toys with the crinkle. This one becomes a tug toy. He loves tugging on this one. One lasts several months. They are well constructed. In the past year, we've gone through 2 of them.

This one is a better tug toy. Houdini will loop one end on his leg and play tug on his own. This one seems to be constructed a little less well. One lasts a couple of weeks. 

Houdini's not a fan of balls. Fetch isn't something he enjoys all the time. But he does enjoy chasing this ball. It frustrates him in a playful way. Gives him great exercise. 


Treats

We avoid rawhide so these are a good substitute. They don't last hours but they are a good reward.

Tai discovered that Houdini liked cheetos. Not the best snack for him so I discovered these at the pet food store. He'll drool when he sees the bag.

What are your pup's favorite treats or toys? I'm always on the lookout for good recommendations. 

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.



I really liked the first in the series, While The Duke Was Sleeping. 

I've enjoyed the Matson books I've read. Looking forward to this one. 

What did you get this week? Claire has the linky this week.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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 friend recommended this one to me. I've been waiting forever to get this. 

I been anxiously awaiting for this one.

What did you get this week? Share your loot below.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.


I've heard good things about this one. Although it sounds kind of brutal.

Another one I've heard good things about.

I've always wanted to read this series. 

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Random Thoughts

-I'd been wanting to stop using plastic straws. A friend gave me a metal straw. I liked it but after a while it made my drinks taste funny. I bought silicon straws. I love these. They are tall enough for all our cups and bottles.

-I recently started playing Dungeons and Dragons. I really enjoy it and gets us out of the house. For the locals, we play at Wizard's Keep, a new game store in the area.

-I'm back doing the low carb thing but I miss chips. Especially bbq chips. They are my downfall.

-I bought a new pair of hiking socks. I love them. They fit perfectly and they were inexpensive. I bought these at Target. I also bought a pair of knee high ones. It's getting chilly here and I think they'll be perfect under my boots.

-I think that hiking might not happen again until next year. Just too damn busy. Thinking of getting a treadmill so I can keep walking.

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Favorite Weeknight Instant Pot Meals

I love my instant pot. I use it 2-4 times a week. Here are my favorite weeknight meals. These are meals that are ready in less than an hour. All links go directly to the recipe.

Pork Chops in Mushroom Gravy
This one has me and Dad written all over it. Juicy pork chops in a mushroom gravy. Over mashed potatoes, noodles, or cauli-rice. Delicious and easy.

Hamburger Stroganoff 
We love stroganoff but I rather have it with ground beef than stew meat. You do have to cook the noodles separately but it's still a pretty quick meal.

Carne Guisada
Such a great twist on taco night. This is more like a Mexican beef gravy. I serve in a bowl with tortilla chips. You could also use it on nachos.

Chicken and Dumplings
This is my go to chicken and dumpling recipe but be warned it uses canned soups. So yummy and filling.

Pulled Pork
A staple in my house. But I really don't follow this recipe. I only included the recipe for the timing. First, I rub a bbq seasoning all over the pork, then I add 1 can of beer (usually something light such as PBR or Sapporo) but you could use stock, apple juice, or water. I also don't cut up the pork. I just add a couple of minutes to the time if it's a huge piece (more than 4 lbs).

Pork ribs
Another family favorite. I use store bought bbq seasoning and store bought bbq sauce. But again the recipe is good for timing. One thing I love about the instant pot is that you can cook straight from the freezer foods. But I would hesitate with ribs. Frozen they are too hard to wrangle standing in the pot and seasoning doesn't stick. I only use thawed ones.

Mac And Cheese
This is my go to recipe. I go a little heavier on the hot sauce (Frank's always). And another confession, I use Velveeta. But it come out so creamy. Tai used to love the boxed stuff but now I only make this one.

Spaghetti 
Another family favorite. I don't use meatballs. I brown ground beef using the saute function. Add a jar of spaghetti sauce, a jar of water, and noodles (any kind is fine. Just don't use angel hair). Confession: I hate tomato based foods. Can't stand chili and I wasn't a fan of spaghetti until I tried this one. I love it. I don't know if cause the noodles cook in the sauce or what but it's so much more tasty to me.

Lazy Lasagna
This is a pot in pot recipe. Take an oven safe dish like this one. I add pepperoni in each layer. So easy. I always have the ingredients on hand.

Veggie and Meatball soup
I use Weight Watcher zero point soup as a starter, then throw in some frozen meatballs (I use the Italian ones from Trader Joe's but the ones from Costco would also work). Cook on manual for 2 minutes. Makes tons.


Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.

I stumbled on this one while looking for another book. I love reading about food.

I've never read about milk. I'm looking forward to this one.

Another one that sounded interesting. 

What did you get this week? Share below!

Monday, October 9, 2017

Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix

A friend loaned Horrorstor to me. I'm glad he did. I love dark humor and Horrorstor is full of it. If you are looking for something spooky and funny, pick up Horrorstor.

The story follows 5 Orsk workers. Orsk is an Ikea knockoff. If you've ever been to an Ikea or worked in retail, you'll relate to a lot of the story. For Amy, Orsk is a job. She puts in her time and collects her pay check. Basil, her supervisor, lives and breathes Orsk. He wants Amy to treat this like more than a job. He doesn't feel like she's living to potential and wants to help her get there. But there are some odd things going on at Orsk. Furniture is stained (more than usual), weird smells everywhere, and strange graffiti in the bathrooms. Tiffany and Mike think it's ghosts and want to try to get photographic proof of them. Ruth Anne just want to make everyone happy and get through the day.

I've never worked retail but I recognized myself and my coworkers in these characters. Hendrix makes the story hilarious as well as creepy. The horror starts out mild but works it's way up to grotesque. If you are squeamish, this one might be too much for you.

Orsk sets up their stores to disorient customers.  Just like a casino, if you can't find your way out, you spend more money.  I think it will be a while before I can go to Ikea without thinking of this story. As a bonus, there are fantastic descriptions of the items Orsk sells. Horrorstor reminded me of Christopher Moore's Dirty Jobs. Others who shared their thoughts about Horrorstor: Ginger Nuts of Horror, That's Normal, and The Blogger's Bookshop.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

September Book Update

Aquaman: The Trench vol 1 by Geoff Johns
Bliss by Lynsay Sands
Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

Probably my worse month yet. I've been in a reading mood but not enough hours in the day. Hoping to get more reading in this month.


Book Stats:
Foodies Read: 1 (Cork Dork) YTD: 5
What's In A Name: 0 (None This Month) YTD: 1
Read Harder: 0 (None This month) YTD: 5
Total: 66

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and me 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.

I've heard good things about this one. 

One of those books that a lot of people have raved about.

I picked this one up because it looked good.

What did you get this week? Claire's got the linky this week.