Friday, September 29, 2017

Weekend Cooking: Cork Dork by Bianca Boker

I grabbed Cork Dork off the library shelf because I love learning more about wine (and food and other beverages too). I also love food related memoirs. So Cork Dork really hit out of the park for me. I loved Bosker's writing style and enjoyed reading about her adventure.

Bosker is a wine civilian. She enjoys a glass with dinner, buys wines that liked, and tries new wines sometimes with friends. But she can't really describe the flavors of wine or describe the wine beyond it's wine. But she meets a man who is studying for a sommelier competition which causes her to search exactly what sommeliers do, how they are trained, and how the compete and win these competitions. Bosker challenges herself to go from wine novice to master sommelier in a year. Cork Dork follows her journey.

I enjoy a glass of wine occasionally. I tend to like reds but I've had a few whites surprise me. Basically, Bosker learns smelling more and learning to identify more smells will help her taste wine better. So I took her advice. I walk around smelling more. It sounds crazy but it's amazing how much you miss. I work in a very urban environment. Some smells aren't things I want to smell like garbage and stinky people. But I made note of everything I smelled and tried to describe it. I noticed that I could taste food better. I haven't been able to have any wine lately, too busy. Bosker really encourages folks to try more wines. Don't drink the same thing all the time. Ask for recommendations. Try something new.

Definitely a good read. Give as a gift with a bottle of wine. Others who shared their thoughts about Cork Dork: Decanter, Wine on VI, and Terroirist.
This is my fifth read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth  Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

Wednesday, September 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.

It's getting cooler here in the Pacific Northwest and I'm stocking up on sweaters and books. 
I've heard good things about this one. Looking forward to it.

I spotted this one a list of books written by POC. I liked the title.

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

Wednesday, September 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.

Interesting looking non fiction.

I enjoyed in the Wayward Children series. I'm looking forward to another creepy story.

This one sounded interesting. 

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

Wednesday, September 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.
I spotted this on the library shelf. It looked good.

Super excited about this one. 
I've listened to Dana White's podcast, A Slob Comes Clean. I'm looking forward to reading her book. 

What did you pick up this week? Share your loot below.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

August Book Tally

Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins
Brave by Svetlana Chmaova
No Bad Dogs by Barbara Woodhouse
Do You Want To Start A Scandal? by Tessa Dare

Another dismal month. Good books, just not a lot of reading time. September is just as busy so I doubt I'll read more.

Book Stats:
Foodies Read: 0 (None this month) YTD: 4
What's In A Name: 0 (None This Month) YTD: 1
Read Harder: 0 (None This month) YTD: 5
Total:63

Wednesday, September 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.

My friend raves about Geraldine Brooks. I've picked up several of her books but haven't actually read any of her books. Hopefully I'll read this one.

I'm a big fan of Jet Tila. I'm looking forward to trying a few dishes out of here.

I spotted this one on the shelf.

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

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

August Goal Update

Prepare to do something physically challenging in 2018. I just went on one hike in August but I have 2 planned in September.

Be able to park my car in the garage by December 31, 2017. I did get rid of some stuff but August was too busy and too hot to move stuff around. 

Add yoga back into my life at least once a week. I did some yoga this month. I'd still like to do more. 

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

Add more art into my life. Nothing here this month. There have been some great exhibits but no time to see them. 

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

August goal: Take 100 items to the thrift shop. I wish I would have taken a picture of the one load I took. There was at least a 100 items there.

September Goal: Stick to my budget. 

Friday, September 1, 2017

If I Could...

  • Travel anywhere, where would it be?
Right now, probably Hawaii. Some place relaxing.

  • Meet anyone, who would it be?
Ryan Reynolds. But I'd probably be too shy to say anything.
  • Bring anyone dead back to life, who would it be?
I don't think I want to bring anyone back from the dead. Gross.
  • Be anyone for a day, who would it be?
I'm happy being me.
  • Get anything for free for the rest of your life what would it be?
Sushi
  • Change one thing about your life what would it be?
Get rid of debt.
  • Have any superpower what would it be?
Super Speed. No more commute!
  • Be any animal for a day which would you be?
Dog. 
  • Date anyone who would it be?
Don't want to date anyone by my hubby.
  • Change one thing about the world what would it be?
Increase peace. 
  • Live in any fictional universe which would you choose?
Whedonverse. Buffy and Firefly all day. 
  • Eliminate one of your human needs which would you get rid of?
I don't know. I love sleep and food. Maybe going to the bathroom?
  • Change one thing about your physical appearance what would it be?
Easy. I'd be thinner.
  • Change one of your personality traits which would you choose?
Nothing. I'm perfect :)
  • Be talented at anything instantly what would you choose?
I'd like to play an instrument or be able to sew. 
  • Forget one event in your life which would you choose?
If I forgot, I wouldn't be who I was now. 
  • Erase an event from history (make it so it never happened) which would you choose?
Tricky. No thanks. 
  • Have any hair/eye/skin color, which would you choose?
I've always wanted to be blonde but I don't think it would look good on me.
  • Be any weight/body type, which would you choose?
Thinner than I am now but not skinny. 
  • Live in any country/city, where would you choose?
I love Washington and wouldn't choose some place else. 
  • Change one law in your country, which would you change?
Too many to just choose one.
  • Be any height, which would you choose?
I like the height I am now
  • Have any job in the world, which would you choose?
Something with books or dogs.
  • Have anything appear in your pocket right now, what would it be?
A couple million dollars.
  • Have anyone beside you right now, who would it be?
My brother. I miss him.