The Midwestern Position

More Cheese For Me

2012-02-12T04:01:00.000-08:00

We are all snobs about something. Some people are wine snobs. Some people are shoe snobs. Some people are literary snobs. Turns out, you can even be a cheese snob.

I made a soup recipe for my co-workers that had all the midwestern essentials. A can of this. A can of that. It was creamy and delicious and I usually keep the ingredients secret because I know that the can of this and that are not always appreciated. However, everyone always says, "This is so good".

And wouldn't you know...the cans aren't even the "best" part. It's the Velveeta. Yes, the big block of yellow cheese product that can make any healthy creation into an instant artery clogger. It is not an everyday food, but rather, a twice a year kind of ingredient.

When a co-worker wanted the recipe, I was happy to share it because she is the kind of person who just likes what she likes. She has no snobberies about food. However, when she passed along the recipe to a friend, her friend responded with "I don't think I'll be making THAT."

Why was I so offended? Probably the same reasons that I got offended when a fellow midwesterner came to my house for dinner and commented, "you cook so midwestern".

There is a lot wrong with that statement. First, I do cook like a midwesterner because I am one. Second, I see your plate is empty. Third, I can cook with Velveeta cheese or goat cheese. Just because I come from a place that loves its 'hotdishes' and crockpot meals does not mean that I can't cook the finer things. However, I take comfort in those dishes that taste like home.

It's the Chocolate Chips

2012-02-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

If you are like me, just the picture of this chocolate heart-shaped delicacy is enough to put your fragile diet in grave peril. I pull up to the Dunkin' Donuts and there the donut provokes me and dares me to just order the medium coffee. I stare down and defeat the donut. I win that battle. But, can I win the war? Can I hold out until February 14 when they take that picture down and hopefully, replace it with something that is not sprinkled with chocolate chips?

Tim and I talk all of the time about how we have vices. Most 'grown-ups' enjoy a little drink here or there, but for us, it is all about the sugar. Tim likes to get his tingle from soda. Cold, straight from the can cola. I take mine in baked good form. I am on the wagon and trying my very best to hold it together, but that donut might just be my Waterloo.

Not-So-Super

2012-02-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

I am using my blog as a kind of time machine into the past. I am lucky enough to be able to browse through what was my life for eight years -- minus the past two -- and enjoy each rumination with happy nostalgia. So, when I was thinking about the Super Bowl last night and how much I detest the hype, I was knee-deep in the middle of 2006. I came across a post about exactly how much I do not like the Super Bowl and the dreaminess of Tom Brady.

Turns out, I have even more to say about the Super Bowl and the cultural hangover that it forces upon us. I just feel like we can all be better than the Super Bowl. Once a year, the media and the powers that be create an event that is steeped in commercialism and money, money, money. Even if you can avoid the actual game and the build up that precedes the game, it is next to impossible to avoid the morning after.

I turn into this anti-social girl who avoids conversations because I do not want to discuss commercials. I don't really want to hear about which one was funny, or even worse, which ones were not funny. There is always the person who says, without fail, "They weren't that funny. I was disappointed."

Disappointed? Really? Did you have high expectations for a 30 second form of entertainment that basically exists to encourage you to spend money on their product?

And then, there is the pathos that the media tries to evoke for the loser. Today, I read a headline about the "emotional loss" for the Patriots. Go cry in your big bag of money.

That Darn FB

2012-02-05T11:48:00.000-08:00

Like many in the world, I am on Facebook. My husband does not use Facebook and probably never will. Not the first wise move he has made in his life. He probably does not suffer from what many Facebookers suffer from...the thought that enters your mind when you see a post about a sunny vacation, a fun Super Bowl party or even a link to a fantastic restaurant.

You know the thought that I am talking about, right? I can't be the only one who thinks to herself, "Man, that looks fun. Why aren't I having fun like that?"

Sometimes this can be motivating. It can remind you that you DO like to go to new restaurants. Call the babysitter and make it happen! Sometimes, it can be confusing. I do not even like the Super Bowl. Why am I feeling envious about those potato shaped cookies?! Sometimes, it can even make you sad. Ah, man, if I were in that state, I would so be invited to that party! I miss my chums. Most of the time, it makes us glad. That looks like so much fun. I am glad they had a good time.

A Very Good Chance of Meatballs

2012-02-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

I am the kind of person who obsesses. It doesn't take much for me to start hemming and hawing over something of no consequence. Today, it is meatballs.

I made homemade meatballs for the first time over Christmas. The recipe came from my Grandma Mabel. When I think about her, my mind goes to the Friday nights that we would arrive at her house and we would be served meatballs in a beef gravy with riced potatoes. It was a food that my mother did not make and it seemed like such an exotic meal to me, yet I always looked forward to it.

So, in my attempt to try new recipes, I decided to give it a go. They were good, but not as great as I had remembered. Maybe it was the gravy, but it really was something else. I was not sitting around Grandma's oval table with the swivel orange chairs. I was not wondering if there would be rectangle cookies for dessert. I was not watching my Grandpa take a very, very long time to prepare his plate while the rest of us were already on meatball number three.

Thankfully, I did not give up on the meatball. I cooked up some amazing Swedish Meatballs from skinnytaste.com. The secret is you cook the meatballs in beef broth. Brilliant! It keeps them from drying out. Next meatball moment will be asian style meatballs!

I am starting to be embarrassed by how many times I have discussed meatballs with people this week... but here I am...writing about meatballs on a Saturday night.

Once a Circle, Now a Square

2012-02-04T12:55:00.000-08:00

It has been two years since my last post...that sounded a little like a Catholic confessional, right? I have decided to give it a go again. This blog used to be the place for me to give my two cents on things that were not important, yet were of some mild interest to me. I was able to hold down the blog with ease for a good four years.

Then, Elsa came. All of my energies and creativity went into my bundle of joy. She is still the priority in my life, but I decided that I must find other outlets of creativity.

You see...I used to be a circle. I was quite good at being a circle. I had being a circle down. No problem.

Then, Elsa came. Instantly, I became a square. I had never been a square. It actually took me a long time to realize that I had become a square. I kept trying to jam the square into a circle, baffled by the mismatched shapes.

Revisiting my blogging life is my attempt to round out the edges of my square self.

8 Weeks

2010-01-15T18:51:00.001-08:00

So, Elsa is almost nine weeks old now. Some things remain the same since the day we brought her home and some things are rapidly changing.

Elsa still enjoys her cuddles, her food, and her blankets. She has come to appreciate the diaper changes and the changing of clothes. We go through burp rags and bibs like crazy because she is a happy spitter.

Elsa has enjoyed looking past whoever is holding her and checks out whatever is on the walls. She likes to "stand" on our laps and do a version of bouncing. She is beginning to hold our gaze and smile back at us. As of today, she has really started to chat on her own.

Proudly, Elsa sleeps through the night and is a pleasure to put to bed each evening. Of course, she has her fussy times too. Usually, it happens during dinner time, but as long as she is being held and walked around, she is content. But don't even think about sitting down. She will let you know that was not what she had in mind.

Let's Rock

2010-01-07T04:07:00.001-08:00

Tim is so proud of his rock-n-roll daughter. She is wearing a shirt that she received from our friends Rick and Theresa. They know how much Tim enjoys AC/DC. I think Elsa enjoys them too by the look on her face.

Five Weeks Old!

2009-12-21T16:34:00.000-08:00

Life has been a little busy with our new baby. I am enjoying each day with Elsa. She grows and changes and I feel so lucky to be a part of it. She has started to socially smile and engage with us. The exciting part is that it will only increase as she grows. With Christmas around the corner, it has been fun buying a stocking for Elsa and filling it with things that she loves. Her first gift from Santa will be a teddy bear and some new pacifiers. She LOVES her pacifier!

It is easy to only focus on Elsa, but we also have visitors coming for Christmas. Tim's parents and brother and sister-in-law will be joining us along with our very cute niece Leah. She is two and a half. We've been preparing for the visit and looking forward to some family time together.

I feel like I am physically getting back to normal. Today, I put on my pre-pregnancy jeans and they fit COMFORTABLY. I did not have to squeeze into them.

Go Vikes!

2009-12-06T18:19:00.000-08:00

This has been an exceptional year for the Minnesota Vikings. We have been able to watch several games. We've gone some years with just one Monday night game. We celebrated another Vikings game on television with Elsa wearing Tim's Christmas Vikings hat. Poor Elsa...I have a feeling that she will be dressed up in lots of get-ups to entertain her parents.

Introducing...

2009-12-02T16:14:00.001-08:00

On November 16, my daughter was born. We named her Elsa Maxine. Her first name was a name that I had for several years that I had always liked and her middle name is after my paternal grandmother.

I am amazed at the love and connection that I feel for Elsa. She already has a personality of her very own. She likes fuzzy blankets. She likes to stretch. She likes to face out and see the world. She makes really big burps.

We are still working out the difference between night and day. She likes to be held with one exception...she likes to swing in her swing. She is not a fan of getting her diaper changed.

Preparing for Baby

2009-10-04T04:51:00.001-07:00

As promised, I am posting photos of our baby's nursery. We do not know the gender of the baby even though we tried to find out...it is modest. We went with a gender neutral nursery set. I knew we were not planning on painting the walls so I wanted bright colors. I left some spaces on the wall for future photos of our baby with his/her grandparents and cousins. I plan on purchasing letters for his/her name to place on the wall too. I want to give a lot of credit to Tim for preparing the nursery. He was handyman-in-chief!

If you know me at all, you know that I like to have things prepared and ready. Unfortunately, it comes from a controlling place, but what I have learned in preparation for the baby is that I really have very little control and will not have control for a very long time...or that's what people are telling me.

I am in my 33rd week of pregnancy and feel quite good. Turns out, no matter how good you actually feel, things can be going on inside your body that are not so good. I won't bother you with the details, but there is a good possibility that I will be going on bed rest and if that does not improve things, we will be meeting our lil' bundle sooner than expected.

Thank goodness for the Internet. I did almost all of my shopping for the nursery and beyond from the comfort of my own couch. I have always been a big believer in the Internet gods, but more so than ever. First of all, shop around. I saved $150 from the most expensive retailer to where I actually bought my nursery set (bedding, valances, etc).

Then, the car seat shop around saved me about $30 dollars from retailer to retailer. You must use the promo codes for discounts and free shipping. My plug of the day is diapers.com. I ordered my car seat and stroller at 6PM on a Monday and it was at my door step by Tuesday noon with free shipping.

This weekend was filled with even more preparation. I made a mammoth trip to Target to stock up on all items, household and baby, that I felt I would need for the next couple of months. It is true that I am within driving distance to several Targets and I do plan on doing some Target shopping after the baby arrives, but I like a stocked house.

I have been trying not to overdo my nesting and tire myself out. I have a grand plan, but remember, the plan doesn't always work out for reasons out of my control...UGH. Next on my to-do list is prepare some foods. I am going to make several casseroles, lasagna, and dishes so we can just pull something from the freezer and eat. We are happy with sandwiches on a weekly basis and I know that cooking will not come to an end once the baby arrives, but I know that this will comfort me in the early days of our new family. I should probably stock up on some take-out menus too!

Because You Asked For It...

2009-09-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

Living away from friends and family means that they get to always envision you as you have always been. Well, I am a larger version of myself these days. With about two and a half months left until our baby arrives, I am posting a photo of my larger self because people have asked me to do it. This is the first "belly shot" that I have taken for the sole purpose of documenting the ever-growing middle section.

We've been busy making changes to our house to prepare for the baby's arrival. The office is now a nursery. The bedrooms have been switched around to make room for the stuff that was once in the office. We are crossing off the TO-DO list that we never really had a reason to finish. For example, we put off washing windows and now, the windows are done. I have put off backing up the photos on my computer, but now, that is done.

We have some names picked out, but we are still looking for one more boy name. We want to have two picked out and when we look at the baby, we'll choose from the two names. We do, however, have two girl names picked out. You can give suggestions for boy names if you would like!

Midwestern Movie: 500 Days of Summer

2009-09-06T08:53:00.000-07:00

Before the hectic schedule of school starts and the official ending of summer happens, I was able to squeeze in one last summer movie. Thank goodness. I could not have chosen a better movie, 500 Days of Summer.

It is the story of Tom and Summer who meet and have a story told within 500 days. Normally, I do not love romantic comedy type movies, but I would not lump this film within the romantic comedy genre. There are definitely funny parts to this story about finding love, enjoying love, and losing love, but the emotions in 500 Days of Summer are so much more genuine than the generic romantic comedy.

If you have ever been in a relationship, on either end of the break-up spectrum, you can appreciate each of the characters. There are no bad guys in the end. Just two people who experience a relationship very differently.

Along with a unique viewpoint, the director utilizes an amazing soundtrack. The Smiths. Hall and Oates, and The Doves. Of course, I love a movie with karaoke and love a movie even more if they sing interesting karaoke like The Pixies. Find a theater and go to 500 Days of Summer.

MIdwestern Movie: Julie and Julia

2009-08-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a Sunday matinee with my friend Laura. We saw Julie and Julia which is based on the book Julie & Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell. I have read this book and I thought the movie was great. It may not have been exactly as the book, but I thought it was even better.

The best part of the movie was Meryl Streep playing the gregarious Julia Child. Because the movie was also based on the Julia Child autobiography, My Life in France, the movie shared more about Julia child than the Powell book.

It is no surprise that Meryl Streep's story line of Julia Child was so entertaining. I could have watched an entire movie all about Julia Child and her life in Paris and beyond. I have always loved to cook, but the movie inspires me to cook more interesting meals and desserts. More than when I read Julie Powell's book, the movie makes it all look so easy, but we know that it is not.

Midwestern Recipe: Fruit Streusel Muffins

2009-08-13T11:44:00.000-07:00

I don't have a picture for these muffins because I have already put them away and I cannot be bothered to take them back out for a picture. However, they are delicious and a yummy treat if you ever host a brunch or a special breakfast. My friend Cheryl gave me this recipe and I love the versatility of the flavors. Today, I used blueberries, but you could use sliced strawberries or raspberries. Your choice!

Muffin Batter:
1-1/2 cup flour
2 tbsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1-1/4 tsp. almond extract
1 cup blueberries (or fruit of your choice)

Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tbsp. butter, melted

Combine the first four ingredients; make a well in the center. Combine the egg, milk, butter and extract. Add to the dry ingredients. Stir until moistened. Fold in fruit. Spoon batter into 12 muffin cups - 3/4 full. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Enjoy!

Clutter

2009-08-12T10:56:00.001-07:00

I have been under some delusion that I do not have clutter in my house. What I have come to fully understand this afternoon is that I have well-hidden clutter. Behind closed drawers. Behind closed closets. Behind closed cabinets. I have often boosted about my lack of "stuff" with our four moves in nine years, but I found out in my office/soon-to-be-nursery that I need to throw away some "stuff".

Each spring and fall, I go through the clothes and purge myself of the wardrobe that was. However, I have not followed such a strict regimen when it comes to computer accessories, manuals, and general office supplies. If it were not for the arrival of our first born, who knows how long the hodge podge of office items would have stayed hidden in the drawers and cabinets?!

Then, there is the scrapbooking materials. I do not even know where to start with this collection. I think I have a plan. I will move it all downstairs into a waiting cabinet piece that we used when we had small apartment kitchens. It sits empty now and will soon house the scrapbooking items.

It is a process and I just wish there were some clutter fairy who could pop into my room and whisk it all away. I think a trip to Target for multiple size rubbermaids is in my future for all of those computer accessories. I have this feeling that Tim will think we MIGHT need them someday.

You Betcha, I'm From North Dakota

2009-08-10T16:37:00.001-07:00

I went to a wedding on Saturday night. It was a very nice event. The kind of wedding where women wear a different dress to the ceremony and a more formal dress to the reception. I wore the same dress to both the wedding and the party.

Our table assignment was table 7. We sat next to a nice couple in their fifties and a couple with three young boys. The talk was small at first, but it went wide open when they found out that I was from North Dakota. Being from North Dakota and living in Philadelphia is either a conversation starter or stopper...depending on the audience.

The older man said to me, "You are the first and only person that I have ever met from North Dakota". I get that a lot. He made the mistake that most people make who are not from either North Dakota or Minnesota and said "South Dakota" a couple of times when he really meant the more northern Dakota.

The topics of North Dakotan conversation ranged from the weather to my thick accent. He asked me to pronounce a few words, most with long vowel sounds. Because this man was so friendly and not at all condescending like many people who want me to say things with that "funny Fargo movie accent", I played a long with it.

I always like it when the east coasters say, " you are not from around here, are you?" Is it that obvious? Is it the accent or could it be something else? Could it be that I wear the same dress to the wedding and the reception? Could it be that I have a more laid back sensibility about me.

All Good Things...

2009-08-07T04:47:00.000-07:00

After eight states, 1500 miles and two days, we are finally back in Philadelphia. The summer in the midwest was exactly what I wanted it to be. We spent every weekend visiting our friends and family in the surrounding states of Iowa.

Baptizing our nephew Caeden - I spent about two weeks in Grand Forks over the summer where I was able to play and cuddle my nephew.
Baby showers - if you didn't already know, I am going to have a baby. My friends and family were kind and showered the baby with gifts galore. More than the gifts, I loved spending time with my family and friends as they shared the excitement of our new baby.
The St. Louis Cardinals - we enjoyed a perfect evening at the ball park with Joe and Ellie. The Cardinals won and I enjoyed my favorite ball park snacks. We also took in a little fair where our niece Leah enjoyed the rides and fair food.
Lots of lunches - during my time in Ankeny, I lunched and lunched and lunched with many of my friends from my days in Iowa.

However, it is always nice to return home from a vacation. Tim and I both commented this morning about what a restful night we both had. It could have been the 13 hours in the car, but I think it was being in our own bed and in our own home.

The first thing that I accomplished today was grocery shopping. I also experienced the sticker shock of the east coast grocery store prices compared to the low prices of the midwest. Oh well. I like nothing better than filling up my refrigerator with food and snacks and drinks. I stopped by my favorite produce store, Produce Junction, and stocked up on fresh cherries, peaches, blackberries and blueberries. Although we had our own apartment in Iowa, I wasn't able to cook like I enjoy. I was without a grill and many of my essential tools. I look forward to the cooking and baking in my own kitchen.

I better get cleaning my house. It is shocking how many cobwebs develop in just six weeks.

Missing the Midwest Already

2009-07-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

Farm fresh produce stands - I have enjoyed the best peaches and cream corn on the cob while living in Iowa for six weeks.
Spending almost every weekend with my midwestern family and friends - It'll be hard not seeing my baby nephew until April. Thankfully, we'll get to see our lil' niece Leah in December.
Enjoying happy hour at Sonic Drive-In - the cherry limeade is something very special.
The midwestern nice - just the other day, I was in a store and was just about to pay when a woman came up to me and asked, "Did you spend over $50? I have a coupon if you did!" That nice Minnesotan lady saved me $12!
The North Dakota weather - normally, people are not appreciative of the North Dakota weather, but June and July are the exceptions for me. It ranges between 70-85 degrees with limited humidity. Beautiful.
Empty highways - I love to drive in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota where you can go for miles with just you and few other cars, usually Buicks, on the road. Set the cruise and go!

New Favorite: The Little Couple

2009-07-22T12:23:00.001-07:00

I haven't met a reality show that I didn't like. However, most of the people who are on reality television walk the line between emotional instability and uncontrolable narcissism. These labels do not apply to my new favorite reality television family, The Little Couple. I love them. I wish they lived near me so we could be friends. Seriously.

Jen is a doctor and I can only hope that I have a doctor like her someday. She is so kind and warm to her patients and the families. Bill is the sweetest husband who makes coffee and dinner for Jen.

Of course, my hope and expectation is that Jen and Bill will not go down the same road that their TLC peers Jon and Kate Plus 8 went down. Ugly. Ugly. Ugly. I have faith that Jen and Bill have their heads on straight and have a clear vision of their life together.

June is Almost Over

2009-06-30T06:58:00.001-07:00

June flew by. It seems like yesterday that I was in Pennsylvania, but now I am spending my days in Iowa. The best part about living in the midwest for two months is visiting friends and family. Last weekend, we celebrated with friends in Minneapolis and we are traveling to St. Louis for the Fourth of July. We'll see Tim's brother and his wife and our cute niece Leah. Of course, we'll take in a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. Life is pretty simple here and I like that.

Michael Jackson

2009-06-26T05:21:00.001-07:00

This is the Michael Jackson that I remember the most. I remember laying on the floor of my basement with the double vinyl Thriller album wide open. I would listen to it while I enjoyed the baby tigers and Michael in his crisp white suit. I loved that record.

Just the other day, I was driving around with a four year old and I asked him he wanted to listen to some good music on my ipod. He did and I found "Beat It". When I asked the four year old what he thought, he responded with "I love this song. It's so good." I agreed. It is so good.

The Iowa Life

2009-06-20T06:37:00.001-07:00

Being back in Iowa, I am reminded of all that I know is true about Iowa.

First, I have "survived" two summer storms in Iowa. For those readers outside of the midwest or tornado alley, thunderstorms in the midwest are completely different than what I experience in Pennsylvania. When I hear thunder and see lightning in Pennsylvania, I do not even look outside. I know all is well. Just a little wet. However, in Iowa, when there is a thunderstorm and you are in the eye of the storm, the thunder is cracking and the wind is wicked.

On Wednesday night, we woke up at 2Am to see the tree outside our window bowing to the point of almost breaking. It passed after much thunder and much lightning. I was checking the news on television to make sure that I would "survive". As I walked around town the following day, there were lots of tree limbs down and things were messy. It wasn't a tornado, but scary.

Hardy life-long Iowans don't seem to worry the way I do about the summer storms the way that I do. They impress me.

The other thing that I know is true about Iowa, things are cheap. We enjoyed a movie for one dollar a piece. They have a theater where movies play that about a month or two old. We hadn't gotten a chance to see Wolverine and it was playing. We've enjoyed dollar sundaes too. I could go on, but I think you get the idea.

Life is good in Iowa. We are enjoying our time here even if the storms place me near the edge of crazy sometimes.

Granny's Place

2009-06-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have made my return to Iowa. Well, at least for two months. We have rented a furnished apartment so Tim can complete a research project at Iowa State University. The last time that we rented a furnished apartment, we made the mistake of renting in campus town at ISU. It was loud and the apartment was very industrial. I am sure it was supposed to be hip, but to us, we felt that we were living in a warehouse.

Fast forward to today when I arrived at the apartment. Tim has been living here for two weeks. This apartment could not be more opposite of the former apartment at ISU. First, we are living in Ankeny. It is the suburb of Des Moines where we lived for two years prior to moving to Philly. The funny thing is...the apartment has the stylings of a grandmother's apartment from 1989. I really don't mind. It is for a brief time and it makes our life easy to have a furnished apartment.

Now that I have cleaned the apartment and put our clothes away, the rest of the summer awaits me. Let the midwestern adventures begin.

Midwest Adventure 2009 - Part One

2009-06-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

I say this every year...I am so glad that I have a job that has a definite start and definite finish. After a successful kindergarten graduation, I jetted off to the midwest to meet Tim in Minneapolis for his birthday. Tim had been in Iowa for two weeks working on a research project so it was great to see him. Although I had envisioned a warm June day where we could spend the day downtown and walk to a great restaurant from the hotel, it was cold and very rainy. We walked to the restaurant anyway. We ate shepard's pie and beef roast at The Local. It was delicious and the perfect meal for a cold night.

After a cold night in Minneapolis, we drove to Grand Forks to spend some time with the family. Of course, I had to spend as much time with my cute nephew, Caeden. It has been a month and a half since I have seen him and he has changed so much. He is kicking and cooing and all the things that are so special when babies are three months old!

Tomorrow, I will drive to Avon, Minnesota to see my friend Sara and her boys, Sam and Lucas. After that, it is Iowa and the rest of the summer. We are spending two months in Iowa so Tim can continue his research project. I am not quite sure how I will spend my summer. I'll do my best to keep you posted.

Cezanne and Beyond

2009-05-31T05:33:00.001-07:00

Someone asked me why I do not blog as much as I once did. The answer is pretty simple. I just do not do as much as I once did. My life has fallen into a wonderfully comfortable routine with just a dash of interesting adventures every couple weeks. I was reflecting on who I was when I first started the blog and things have changed.

However, I won't stop blogging. It will just be less often.

Last week, I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to take in the latest exhibit called Cezanne and Beyond. Out of the exhibitions that have come to the museum since living here, it was my favorite. It shared the elements and importance of Cezanne in the lives of other artists and his influence on the great artists of modern art. Taking a Cezanne piece and placed it next to a Mondrian or Matisse, the museum described the influence of the master Cezanne to these artists. I loved it. It probably had something to do with all of the Matisse in the exhibit too. He's one of my favorites. If the exhibit comes to an art museum near you, take it in.

Star Trek

2009-05-15T17:48:00.001-07:00

I have never been what one would call a Star Trek fan, but I married one. Surprisingly, I have seen most of the Star Trek movies. However, when I watch the television series, they might as well be speaking another language. I have no idea what they are talking about most of the time. All I do is ask, "Are they the bad guys, Tim?" He is so patient and answers with a simple yes or no.

So, I am sure that I will see the new Star Trek movie soon. Look at Spock. With that front bowl cut and the slanty eyebrows, I still think he is kind of handsome. This reveals nothing that I have not known for years. I like nerds.

Saturday Afternoon

2009-05-02T11:19:00.001-07:00

Saturday afternoons can be a big win or a big loss. Today, it is gray and on the edge of rain. We decided to lay low and watch television. Today, the big win was finding What's Eating Gilbert Grape on cable. I am not the kind of girl who watches movies over and over again, but I love this movie. If you haven't seen it, put it in the netflix queue.

I think I have written about this movie before on the blog.

It's Almost May

2009-04-30T16:33:00.001-07:00

I have returned from a trip to North Dakota. While I was there, I met my new nephew, Caeden. I know it is not possible to tell you on this blog how much I adore him. His lil' face and his lil' hands and all that is lil' about him are so sweet. He is six weeks old and I am counting the days until I am able to see him again.

While I was in ND, I had several family tell me that they noticed that I have not been updating the blog. It's true. April was a crazy month for me. Excuses, right? My trip to North Dakota came at the perfect time for me. It was right after parent-teacher conferences and a bunch of other stuff that is too boring to mention. However, I hope to be back to normal blogging schedule.

I have 24 days left of kindergarten. It doesn't matter that I love my job and enjoy every day, I still count the days because I can't help but look forward to the summer. Most people already know this, but we are spending two months in Iowa this summer. Tim is working on a research project and I will be...well...well...I have no idea, but I know it will be relaxing.

Not-So-Big Plans

2009-04-04T04:34:00.000-07:00

Tim and I have decided on a "staycation" for our spring break. It is the first spring break that we haven't hosted visitors to our home. Although we always welcome guests, I am looking forward to ten days filled with sleeping in, lazy mornings, day trips and relaxation.

Spring break is on the list of perks for my job. I love the break and usually feel rejuvenated to tackle all that the rest of the year has to offer in kindergarten. And because I am a simple girl, I have a simple list of things to accomplish during my ten day hiatis from kindergarten.

Buy an ice cream maker for my Kitchenaid mixer.
Make ice cream with my new attachment to the Kitchenaid mixer.
Buy a new tv stand for the new tv that Tim bought for us.
Cook a nice dinner at least three times.
Start to clean up our yard. It is in need of some spring cleaning.

Well, that is about it. If I can get all of that accomplished this week, it will be time well spent.

Proud Aunt

2009-03-22T06:53:00.001-07:00

My First Nephew
Caeden Michael
March 17, 2009

Kate Walsh Downloads are Always Good

2009-03-20T17:24:00.000-07:00

Last spring, my obsession with the singer Kate Walsh hit a peak when I went to her small show in Philly. Amazing. She is terrific on her CDs, but even better live. At the show, she sang several songs from her upcoming album. I obsessed over them and searched the interwebs for them without success.

That was until another fan sent me a link where I could find THREE!!! new songs from Kate Walsh. The three songs are downloadable to itunes for free, my friends!

It's true. She isn't for everybody, but she is definitely for me with her soft guitar and emotional lyrics. See...in my own life, I am pragmatic. I am reasonable in thought and emotion, but in my listening life, the more heart-wrenching, the better. Kate does heart-wrenching very well. I find her lyrics startling and honest. I find her voice honest and pure.

Snow Day Revisited

2009-03-04T14:04:00.000-08:00

You might have heard earlier in the week that the east coast had a snow storm. Everyone back in the midwest keeps saying to me, "It must have been bad, huh."

Well...it was bad for Philly. I have to remember that Philadelphia is very big and isn't as flat as the midwest. People live up hilly roads and there is a lot of traffic. A snow storm just affects people and their lives a little differently here. It's true that what I know as a big winter storm is very different than what people who were born and raised in Philadelphia know as a storm. That doesn't make me dismiss this as a winter storm. There are just a whole different set of circumstances to consider when it hits a city like Philadelphia.

When you look at the photos, I know you are thinking, "That is not a storm. That is a regular day here in North Dakota or Minnesota," and you would be right. My memories of blizzards that covered a third of my house would make me question whether this is an actual storm, but the weather people say it is a storm.

I like the snow and in honor of our March storm, I would like to make a list...

Things I Like About Snow Storms...
1. I like to brush off my car. I find it very satisfying. I think I have above average skills when it comes to defrosting and cleaning off a car covered in snow. This storm wasn't even a challenge. My car had about 6-8 inches of snow on it. I have memories of needing a shovel to actually dig out the car before I could brush it off.

2. I like to hold up in my house and do cozy things. I made some banana crumb muffins on Monday morning because I had the time and because they were warm and cozy.

3. As much as I like to hold up in my house, I like to cruise around in my CRV and see how things look. I like to give Tim a commentary on the conditions while he questions my judgement for being on the roads. Don't worry. I stay close to home.

4. I like snow days. I like late starts. I like to check the website of the school district in five minute intervals waiting for the bold letters that tell me that there will be no school! And, I don't have to make up the days. Hooray!

5. It gives me something to blog about.

6. I get to be reminded of my hearty midwestern nature. I get to think about the days in the midwest when a blizzard would take out the power for two days and you'd be left doing little more than playing cards in about five layers of clothing. Really, those are rare storms, but it does happen.

The Midwestern Cook

2009-03-02T05:45:00.001-08:00

I spend at least thirty minutes of every day reading cooking and baking blogs. Although I adore a number of cooks on the Food Network, I find that the recipes on the food blogs are so much more manageable. Along with the commentary and hints that they give, I find that the recipes that I try rarely fail.

I may regret this, but....I am starting a food blog. I have been working on it for a few weeks. Instead of posting my recipes here at The Midwestern Position, I will be posting recipes at The Midwestern Cook. I hope that you will bookmark it and visit as often as you visit this blog. My only concern for my food blog is being able to post as often as I should. I want to keep people coming to my blog and if I have a busy week and cannot post new recipes, they might abandon The Midwestern Cook.

Cooking and baking is one of my passions and I love to talk and share about it. So, hopefully, people will want to see what is cooking in my kitchen!

Oh, well, we'll see how it goes. I hope to discuss recipes, cooking gadgets, favorite ingredients, and more.

My Nook

2009-02-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

This is my new home office nook. It has been the mud room off of our kitchen that has done little more than store our bag of potatoes and step stool.

It is a small space, but when you think about, I think everyone should have their very own small space. Maybe it is because I grew up with my own room and could shut the door and just do whatever I wanted to do in that room, but I have always craved individual isolation in small doses. I like having a space to put things that are mine and mine alone.

I have my cookbooks, picture frames, and tech tools on the shelves. I have artifacts from my life mingling with the picture frames. Iris the ipod and Charlotte the Shuffle have their very own spot on the shelf too! When you walk into my nook, you will know that Sara lives here and checks her recipes, blogs, and more in this space. I feel blessed today.

I Believe...

2009-02-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

That a look at someone's ipod is like a window into his/her soul. (I posted a picture of my first ipod, Greta the Green. She now plays kindergarten music for five year old souls.)
Personal rituals make life better.
That the Oscars don't matter. It's just a place for rich, self-absorbed people to pat themselves on the back while wearing insanely expensive clothes.
It is reasonable to buy the exact same Banana Republic white, black, and gray stretch t-shirt summer after summer.
It's old timey and fun to keep money in a jar for something interesting on a rainy day.
Peanut butter and sour cream are excellent foods...just not together.
That I am not taking advantage of as many things as I should in Philadelphia. I need to get cracking on that.
It's time to start wearing the puffy vests again.
That I have the same haircut that she had when she graduated high school and I didn't even try to do it.
A simple life is a good life.

Time Well Spent

2009-02-17T16:06:00.001-08:00

President's Day weekend has turned out to be one of the reasons that I love working at my job. We get Friday and Monday off! I have made it a habit to travel and see friends during this time of the year or I like to plan for people to come and see me in Philadelphia.

This year, I traveled to Minneapolis to see some of my nearest and dearest friends in my life. So, in typical Midwestern Position fashion, I will give it to by the numbers...

2 - New babies born to my friends Jolene and Steve. Welcome to the world Lauryn and Emily! I am so glad that I was able to meet you and hold you in your first days.

5 - The number of Wall Street Journals that the man next to me read during the flight from Philly to Minneapolis. He insisted on reading it in the big, wide way...you know so his fist was in my face because he refused to fold his paper in half to read.

$140,000 - The amount of money that I won playing the DVD game of Deal or No Deal with five year old Julia. I thought that was pretty good.

10 - The number of children under the age of six at the Valentine's Day Dance Party. Very fun.

2 - The number of Caribou Coffee shops that I stopped at during my Minneapolis trip. I love the Caribou. I miss it.

Reading Twilight

2009-02-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist. I started reading Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. When someone handed me the book, I responded with, "I do not really like vampire books."

She asked, "Do you like steamy teenage love stories?" My response, was a simple "yes" as I grabbed the book from her hand.

I am finished with half of the novel and I wonder what is the matter with me sometimes. All I hear is how great the book is and how people beyond teenage girls love this book. There are grown women who love this series of books. The first three chapters were painful. The inner dialogue was cheesy and pretty typical. Without giving anything away, the main character Bella has this helpless, clumsy streak that makes Edward feel like he has to protect her. He reminds her to the point of nagging to "be careful" on every other page. This annoys me. I just don't empathize with Bella. If I had a guy telling me to be careful all of the time, he'd be history. Their entire relationship is so uneven. He has all of these reasons that he wants to be with her and she has one...he is dreamy.

Scammed at Starbucks

2009-02-03T16:17:00.001-08:00

I have been accused of being naive before, but it was affirmed in midtown Manhattan on Sunday afternoon.

I was standing next to a man waiting for my drink at a Starbucks. When the woman barista asked him what he ordered, he replied with "Venti Caramel Machiatto".

In my mind, I thought, "ME TOO!"

So, the first Caramel Machiatto came up and he took it because he was there before I was. Then, a man barista asked me what I ordered. I told him and the barista said, "That guy just took your drink."

What? I realized in a half second that I was scammed. Or...Starbucks was scammed. Guys stand around and listen to orders and then belly up to the pick up counter and take other people's drinks. The barista stood there and I had a feeling like he was not going to make my drink so I had to explain to him that it is possible for people to order the same drink so it is not my responsibility to keep track of who ordered what. He made me another drink and I knew he would. It's Starbucks.

However, what is wrong with people? It's not like it was food. Maybe I would be more understanding if it was food and the person was starving, but it was coffee and a frilly girl drink at that.

Cuba Libre

2009-01-26T13:23:00.000-08:00

Tim and I rarely venture into the city even though we live about ten minutes from the center of Philadelphia. We tend to stay in our little nook of the suburbs. However, we went into Philadelphia to take part in Restaurant Week where upscale restaurants offer a three-course meal for $35. Our friends, TC and Laura, joined us for an evening at Cuba Libre, a Cuban restaurant that I have been wanting to try.

First of all, I love mojitos. They are the kind of cocktail that I like to enjoy at restaurants rather than make my own, but after enjoying a passion fruit mojito and a cherry mojito at Cuba Libre, I am inspired to make my own at home. We'll wait for summer for that.

My appetizer was a plate stacked with pork ribs! It was smothered in a guava BBQ sauce. Just like all ribs should be, they were cooked well and had lots of tender meat to pull off of the bone. TC, Laura, and I all had the ribs as our first course. I followed the ribs with a lime-garlic marinated chicken dish on top of a black bean croquete...I have no idea what that means, but it was like a black bean crab cake sort of thing without the crab! It was covered in a mango sweet and sour gravy.

Finally, my third and final course was the dessert. Normally, I do not get dessert at restaurants because I am so full from my dish, but it was part of the experience. TC and I enjoyed Tres Leche de Banana which is a vanilla sponge cake soaked in three different kinds of banana milk and a chocolate-banana mousse on top. It had caramelized bananas on the side too.

I realized on my trip to Cuba Libre that I really shouldn't wait until restaurant week to enjoy the yummy food that Philadelphia has to offer. I should make it a goal to go to the city at least once a month and try a new restaurant.

January 20, 2009

2009-01-20T07:35:00.000-08:00

No matter your politics, today matters.

This is going to be good for our country on so many levels. There is nothing that I can say that hasn't already been said about this moment, but it matters to us all.

Tales of the Grocery Store

2009-01-18T18:51:00.001-08:00

Well, it is that time on Midwestern Position when I share my observations from the grocery store. I love grocery shopping, but my passion for groceries is slowly fading with my time in Philly. However, this morning was great. The following is a chronological list of events that took place at the grocery store.

1. A woman 'raced' me to the carts. I did not know that we were racing, but it was made clear to me when she put her hand on the cart that I had just grabbed. She said, "I'll take it."

What? Really? Okay. Because there are 35 more carts sitting here for me to take.

2. When I was choosing my bunch of bananas, a woman was muttering under her breathe about how they never have quality bananas. How "could it kill them to get the GD bananas out before they are all yellow?" I felt that she was addressing me, but I have always found it best to just walk away.

3. I was called "BABE" three times at the deli counter.
"What do you need, Babe?"
"Which turkey, Babe?"
"Have a good day, Babe."
I don't object to this term of endearment. It entertains me.

4. While waiting in line for my deli items, they had sample sandwiches on the counter. Even though I do not enjoy free samples of food at the grocery store, I observed a man eat three of them. Yes, the line was that long at the deli counter that I could see this man come back two more times for a sandwich while he shopped.

Midwestern Endorsement: William Fitzsimmons

2009-01-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

My newest music obsession is a man named William Fitzsimmons. He is the kind of artist that one should listen to only if they are comfortable in the melancholy state. He sings songs about lost love, what could have been, and how it should feel when a person feels absolutely terrible with their heart cracking slowing. I love it. But, I am one of those people who enjoy a sad song more often than not. It is folky and nostalgic. Both things that I am prone to like. His story is interesting too. Now, I will stalk his website with hopes that he will make his way to Philadelphia.

Midwestern Recipe: Coconut Cake

2009-01-11T14:11:00.001-08:00

I have tried many different recipes for coconut cake. I like my cake to be very flavorful and I think this recipe is the best I have tasted. I made this for a small dinner party on Saturday night and it was a crowd pleaser. I made it with two round cake pans, but it would be just as delicious in a 9x13, but you might not need to use as much whipping cream for the frosting.

1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup water
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
1 (14 ounce) can coconut cream
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
3 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tablespoon white sugar
1 bag of coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.

In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, eggs, oil, water and coconut flavoring. Beat for 2 minutes and pour into 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

In a medium bowl, combine coconut cream with sweetened condensed milk and stir until smooth. When cake comes out of the oven, poke holes into it in even rows using a large fork or chopsticks. Pour milk mixture over, allowing it to soak into the cake. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Store in the refrigerator.

Rock Band

2009-01-11T14:05:00.000-08:00

Check us out! We almost look like a real band, but not quite. We are doing our best playing Rock Band with my friend's Play Station 3. Unlike Tim, who was good at all of the instruments, I found my groove on the bass. I was kicked off of the drums more than once.

We invited Laura, TC, and Stephen over for dinner and Stephen shared his Rock Band with us for the evening. My favorite song to sing was "When We Were Young" by The Killers. Tim impressed us with "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones. Now, I am going to do my best not to run out and buy Rock Band and a system to play it on.

101 Things

2009-01-03T15:39:00.000-08:00

I am trying to think of 101 things to do in 1001 days. I know my friend Carmyn has developed a list, but there is something about right now in my life that inspires me to come up with this list.

It seems simple enough, but it has to be realistic. It has to be measurable. It has to be well-rounded. It can't just be all home improvement items. I am sure I could fill the list with that topic. I am afraid that if I write 101 goals on one topic, I will get bored. I do this every year. Last year, I had 12 goals in 12 months. I don't think I did any of them. However, I am ever hopeful and ever ready to attempt goals. AND...101 days is a long time. I have categorized it into the follow themes...

Home Improvement
Financial
Health
Food
Experiences
Relationships
Travel
Learning
Entertainment

With such a wide array of themes, it is important to have simple and more complex goals. Even though I have not completed the writing of the goals, I have started on my goals. The start date was December 13, 2008. The date for completion is September 10, 2011. Wow. That is a long time from now. I have already crossed two items off of my list.

9. Host a Holiday Party
12. Make a cheesecake.

Well on my way.

Virtual Night Stand

2008-12-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

I've got a Borders gift card burning a hole in my pocket. I have a hard time using it because I have so many books in my night stand wanting to be read. I guess it doesn't hurt to buy a few more and add them to the pile. Currently, on my night stand...

Franny and Zooey
by J.D. Salinger

A friend of mine gave this to me on my birthday. He loves it and I know the book means a lot to him. I started to read it and had to put it down because I had to keep up with my books for the class that I took this fall. Now that I have sworn off all reading that is 'assigned' to me, I hope to get back to this book.

The Poisonwood Bible
by Barbara Kingsolver

At my holiday party, a friend saw this on my bookshelf and was excited to talk to me about one of her favorite books. I hope she wasn't too disappointed, but I hadn't read a word of it. It sits on my shelf, lent to me by a friend who bought her copy in Ireland. She loves it too and when I finish it, I have two friends will want to chat about the book.

A People's History of the United States
by Howard Zinn

This is a reread for me. I read this book about 12 years ago and I was browsing my shelves a few weeks ago and pulled it out. Something about this time in our own American lives that made me think it was time to revisit some of the hard truths and stories that lie in our past. If you haven't read this book, you should.

These books should keep me busy for at least two months...(I'm kind of a slow reader)...but that doesn't stop me from wanting to browse the bookshelves at Borders and add these books to the pile...

The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope
by Jonathan Alter

It could be that I like Jonathan Alter and think he is wicked smart when I watch him discuss politics on MSNBC. It could be that my grandfather couldn't talk about FDR without crying just a little. It could also be that Barack Obama was reading this book and I want to be a little like Barack Obama. Who knows, but I am going to buy this book tonight.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames
by David Sedaris

I bought Holidays on Ice for a friend for Christmas because I love to reread it each holiday season. It never fails to make me laugh, but it reminded me that I had not purchased David Sedaris's new book. It has been out for many months and I was very excited when it came out, but again, bogged down with 'assigned' reading.

So, these books should keep me busy for awhile. However, there is always the chance that I will be distracted and add some other books to this list.

Midwest Christmas: By the Numbers

2008-12-29T21:27:00.001-08:00

7 - Days spent in the midwest to celebrate Christmas with our family.

163 - My highest wii bowling score this holiday season.

27 - Number of first and second cousins seen over my week in the midwest.

3 - Number of days that my shoulder ached after rolling cookies.

-22 - Degrees. Yes, that's right. That is negative 22 degrees. The temperature on my first morning in North Dakota.

5 - The number of years taken off of my life after the taxi cab ride home from the airport tonight. Scary. Fast. Worth it. Way better than parking at the airport.

8 - The number of Obama holiday cookies made. I come from an Obama-lovin' family and they just seemed right sitting on the holiday cookie tray.

6 - The number of days left until I return to kindergarten. It's going very fast.

2 - The number of people at our New Year's Eve party. Just the two of us. Just the way we like it.

Holiday Recap

2008-12-20T08:05:00.000-08:00

The last two weeks have been busy with a capital B. Like all other teachers, the last two weeks of school before winter break are filled with special days at school and events planned with staff.

Last weekend, we hosted our first holiday party with people from my work. Tim and I spent the week before the party cleaning and cooking. I tried a lot of new recipes and some tried and true. Of course, I baked a number of holiday cookies too. Although I invited mostly people from work, I invited my cousin and his wife and my friends from Brooklyn too. It was great that they made the trip. I was a little worried that my house would not be able to hold everyone, but I was pleased with how everything went.

I put the drinks in the three-season porch and that helped with the flow of people. I served soda, waters, beer, and wine. We have a lot of drinks left over. Oh, well, we will just have to have another gathering.

We have a holiday party tonight too! All of the sudden, we have a social life. More than anything that I am looking forward to this season is traveling home to North Dakota to see my family. I am ready for the traditions of the past, the comfort that only your family can bring, and sharing the fun of Christmas with my parents, my brother and his wife, and my extended family in the frozen tundra of home.

Midwestern Recipe: Easy Turtle Pretzels

2008-12-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

Holiday baking season is here again! I will be posting each of the recipes that I try for the first time and the tried and true recipes from my family. Today, I baked two cookies recipes and two candy recipes.

First, I made Easy Turtle Pretzels. It was so easy and they are good. I think they would make a great homemade gift for someone if they were put in a cute jar or bag.

Preheat your oven to 300.

Unwrap 50 individual rolo candies (a 12 ounce bag).

Spread out about 50 tiny twists rold gold pretzels on parchment paper lines cookie sheet. I can only fit 25 on my pan.

Place a rolo on each pretzel. I put them on upside down. It doesn't matter.

Put tray in oven for 4-6 minutes (enough to get the rolo soft and squishable).

Take tray out of oven and smoosh pecan halves on top of each rolo, pressing down to fill in the holes of the pretzel.

Let cool. Can refrigerate to cool. Sit out a little bit before eating, cause the caramel inside the rolo will get tough from being in the fridge.

Yum!

I know there are people who do not enjoy the holidays for lots of different reasons, but I love them. I cannot imagine a season without baking, music, and family. I love the idea of preparing for Christmas.

Things I Am Thinking About on Thursday Morning

2008-12-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

I think it is interesting (weird) that the number one purchase on the folk section of itunes is "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman. That song came out in 1988. Twenty years ago.

Why did I spend 20 minutes (I wish I was exaggerating) in the Dunkin' Donuts drive thru last night? It was one of those drive thru lines that once you are in it, you cannot get out unless you move through the line. Well, I think only one man was working in the shop and he was the new guy because it took five minutes for him to make coffee for people. Their coffee is not the 'fancy' coffee that takes steamed milk and espresso. The easy stuff, yet it took twenty minutes. Normally, I wouldn't care, but I was late for class after that. See...I hate to even complain about this because that guy has a frustrating job as it is and here I am complaining.

Gas is now $1.89 here in my neighborhood. That is nice. I don't fret when I pull up to the station when I see a number under two dollars. However, I worry about the rest of the economy. Groceries seemed a lot more expensive when I went for our weekly trip. Maybe it is the after holiday increase so they can make money back on all of the sales prior to Thanksgiving. I think I notice the price changes more because I buy so many of the same foods from week to week.

I have decided to not take a grad class next semester. I did not enjoy my class this fall and felt that I got very little out of it. I am starting to think that grad school is for your twenties or at least, my twenties. Now, I just want to work and go home. I want to spend my free time doing what I enjoy. I want to read the books that I want to read. I have one more class left.

A Long List of Have Nots

2008-11-24T16:28:00.001-08:00

Like my friend Carmyn, I like a good list. She found this list and highlighted the ones that were true for her. I will do the same. What I found out about myself is that I haven't done a lot. I haven't been to a lot of places. Oh, well.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty...or as far as they let you go.
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Christmas Post #1

2008-11-22T04:12:00.001-08:00

I am one of those people who start the holiday season a little early. The tree is up. The Christmas dishes are being used. The gifts are almost all purchased. I think it is because I am highly nostalgic and enjoy all sorts of yearly rituals, but Christmas never bores me even though I do the same things year after year.

Holiday Movies
Every rule has an exception. My rule is that I do not rewatch movies...except holiday movies. I love them. Last night, I watched Love Actually and I can say with certainty that I love that scene with Hugh Grant dancing to "Jump" just as much as I did the first time. I love that movie along with most other holiday movies. It is a genre that can be terrible. But it can also be great. Elf. A Christmas Story. Charlie Brown. It's a Wonderful Life. I even like mediocre holiday movies like Christmas with the Kranks. However, I draw the line at Tim Allen Christmas movies.

Holiday Cups and Dishes
My mother-in-law gave us two cups and saucers a few years ago. They have little snowmen on them. We only use them at Christmas time, but I love them. It seems that warm and toasty drinks just taste better in these cups. I think it might have to do with the fact that we are usually cozied up with blankets and each other, but I still look forward to pulling them out each year. The same rule applies to a set of dishes I received many years ago from my friend Sara. It's weird. We usually use those dishes first even though our everyday dishes are available. I think it is Christmas spirit.

Christmas Music
This year, I am enjoying the new Rosie Thomas Christmas album. Itunes has some amazing music that is holiday, but not cheesy. Is that possible, you ask? I think so, but it is all a matter of taste because I witnessed a lady crooning along to Neil Diamond at the Target listening stand the other day and we might just have different views on what is cheesy Christmas music.

Today, I am off to finish my Christmas shopping!

Wash This

2008-11-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

How do I say this delicately?

I hate my washer. It is about as old as I am and it could be the very most un-fun thing to purchase as a grown up. Here is an item that you use to do work that is so not fun and then, it has the audacity to not work properly.

I won't bore you with the details of my domestic woes. I can see it now. Tim and I will travel to one of the boring stores that I try to avoid like Best Buy or Sears. We will spend hours looking at washers when neither of really care which washer we should buy. After years and years of using apartment complex washers, we are not picky. It just needs to wash, spin, rinse. I don't even know if it needs to do it in that order. All I know is that this purchase is going to have to happen soon.

See...we are doing our part to get this economy going.

Sleepy Girl

2008-11-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

What is wrong with me? I am a reasonable 32 year old woman who has stayed up too late for about a week now. I am the kind of girl who always goes to bed by 11PM and have since I was 16 years old. Even in college, I was the girl who would get grumpy when the other college girls were having some shenanigans in the hallway in the middle of the night when I wanted to be sound asleep.

I had to stay up and watch history last night when Obama gave his acceptance speech. I am thrilled for our country. That late night was totally worth it.

Even tonight, I am watching the post-mortems on the campaigns when I should really be in bed. Okay. Here is the plan. I will go to bed in 20 minutes. I will go to bed at 10PM tomorrow night and Friday. Then, I will sleep in on Saturday! By then, I should be all caught up on the goods.

Vote Barack Obama for Change in our Country

2008-11-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I am asking the big questions.

1. How many minutes/hours/days will it take for "Joe the Plumber" to realize that he has been a stooge for the McCain campaign?
2. Will I be able to go to work on Wednesday if Barack Obama doesn't win the election?
3. Why do I avoid conversations with people that I know support John McCain/Sarah Palin? I know that I won't change their mind. More than anything, I am scared that I will judge them. I am just being honest.
4. Should I vote before work or after?
5. What have I been putting off until after the election?
6. Who can I still convince to vote for Barack Obama? Who is the undecided voter? Do I need to e-canvas you? Do I need to call you? I'll do it if there is a chance that you will vote for Barack Obama.
7. Does anyone else remember what the election was like before there was a Sarah Palin? I don't. It's like she was always here.
8. Will I be sad when I don't see Chuck Todd as much after the election?
9. What should I serve for my election party?

Yes We Carve!

2008-11-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

Is it just me or does everyone else feel crazy busy? It is true that most of the busy is self-made and I could cut back on what I put on my agenda. I could also prioritize better. For example, I don't have to watch three hours of political news shows a night. This would probably help ease my election anxiety. I hoping that on Tuesday, my candidate with win.

Speaking of candidate...I carved an OBAMA pumpkin and it was posted on YESWECARVE.COM.

I am hosting an election party. It is more of a gathering than a party since it is Tim, TC, and Laura. I have been thinking about the menu for some time. I wanted to make some OBAMA themed dishes, but I am coming up blank. I know he has a chili recipe out there. I thought about CHANGE Chicken. I thought about French Dip sandwiches, but calling them American Dips. That is corny but still delicious. I have an apple cobbler recipe that Michelle Obama makes that I could try. We'll see. We might just order pizza and keep the focus on the numbers. No matter what, vote on Tuesday (even if it is for the other candidate).

Weekend Update

2008-10-27T06:01:00.000-07:00

I have been neglecting the blog. If you know me, you know that I do not like to be busy. I like to have plenty of time on my hands. I do not like having every moment scheduled. Sadly, for the next week and a half, every moment will be scheduled. So, let me take this moment to get you up to date on my doings for the past week.

I traveled to New York City this weekend to see my friend Amy. For the first time, I took the Bolt Bus. I am huge fan of the Bolt Bus. It picks up at a great location in Philly and it drops you right in the middle of New York City. It was clean and quiet and under two hours for the trip. When I take the transit system in Philly and New Jersey, it takes over three hours. The price is right too. It cost $23 for a round trip.

After walking through Central Park where we enjoyed the fall leaves, we stopped at the Museum of the City of New York. The exhibit was Campaigning for President: New York and the American Election.

The pins, paraphernalia, and propaganda from every Presidential election displayed at the exhibit. I was surprised and interested in the propaganda and to see that some things never change. When FDR was running with Harry Truman, the opposition tried to link Truman with the KKK. Shocking, right. Well, as I thought more about it, the same kind of loose, unproven connection is happening with the present election.

I always look forward to eating when I travel to New York. I wasn't disappointed. I had brunch twice with a yummy omelet with gruyere cheese and ham and a Sunday morning brunch with pumpkin pancakes. I loved them. I am now searching out a tasty recipe for pumpkin pancakes at home. If I find one, I will post it for all to enjoy.

World Series Bound...and Rocky

2008-10-16T16:02:00.000-07:00

There are just some truisms when you live in Philly.

One, you like sports. A lot. The sports teams are very important and people have crafted a love/hate relationship with the Eagles, Flyers, and Phillies. And in time, it all pays off. Last night, the Philadelphia Phillies sealed the deal for the National League Pennant. They are going to the World Series!

I was even let out of class early for the game.

Usually, I don't care. But I was reminded of the second truth of Philadelphia during the celebration in the streets last night.

I was sleeping soundly when I was awaken by the BLARING of my neighbor's car stereo as he played the theme from Rocky. Philadelphians love Rocky. My neighbor was overjoyed and screaming, "Finally! Phillies are goin' to the World Series!" It is one of my favorite Philly moments so far.

Apple Pickin'

2008-10-13T13:53:00.001-07:00

Tim and I made our first trip to the apple orchard this weekend. Along with our friends, Laura and TC, we picked a box of Stayman Winesap apples. After picking apples, we enjoyed the orchard's market where they had local goods like maple syrup and baked goods.

Of course, I will be making these apples into sweet treats. I am checking out some recipes and would like to try a few new ones.

The leaves are just starting to change here. I'd like to spend as much time outside on the weekends before winter sets in and we aren't able to enjoy the fall any longer.

Midwestern Recipe: Urban Myth Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-10-09T14:27:00.001-07:00

I received an email a few years back telling a story about how a woman paid $250 for a recipe from Neiman Marcus when she thought she really paid $2.50. It is not a true story, but the recipe is still very good. I think it is the ground oats that make this cookie so good. I like it more than the recipe on the back of Nestle Chocolate Chips.

This recipe makes a lot. I always cut it in half. Also, I do not add the grated chocolate bar. They are great without it.

2 cups butter
24 oz. chocolate chips
4 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sugar
1 8 oz. Hershey! Bar (grated)
5 cups blended oatmeal
4 eggs
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups chopped nuts (your choice)

Measure oatmeal, and blend in a blender to a fine powder. Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mix together with flour, oatmeal,
salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips, Hershey Bar, and nuts.

Spoon and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees.

Makes 112 cookies.

Midwestern Girl Roadtrip

2008-10-05T15:13:00.000-07:00

I had a New Jersey/Pennsylvania day trip weekend. The leaves are just starting to change and in a few weeks, they will be something very beautiful. The photo is from the bridge that covers the Delaware River and connects New Hope, Pennsylvania to Lambertville, New Jersey.

A few months ago, I wrote my endorsement for the memoir Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. As a continuation of my admiration for this book, I checked out Elizabeth Gilbert's store in Frenchtown, New Jersey this weekend. The name of the store is called Two Buttons.

Two Buttons sells a variety or worldly treasures from her travels. It is stored in a warehouse and has everything from garden Buddhas to silk scarves to sandstone sculptures. Everything they had was beautiful and exotic.

From historic Frenchtown, New Jersey, we traveled on to New Hope, Pennsylvania. New Hope offered art galleries, jewelry stores, and more. It was the perfect place to get a few Christmas presents. We enjoyed an early dinner at Marsha Brown's Creole Restaurant. Marsha Brown's is located on the main street of New Hope and is in an old church. The food was amazing. I had lobster and crab bisque and tourenados (beef medallions with mashed potatoes). A few lemon and lime martinis were enjoyed too! After a cafe au lait from a little back alley coffee shop, we hit the road through the beautiful roads of New Jersey where the leaves are just starting to change.

Midwestern Endorsement: Rachel Maddow

2008-09-30T18:09:00.001-07:00

I am a big Rachel Maddow fan. I have a feeling like I might have showered her with praise on the Midwestern Position before this post, but I must do it again.

Being a Rachel Maddow is quite a commitment. She has a show every night on MSNBC where she asks the tough questions, illustrates the nonsense in politics, and holds politicians to a high standard.

It shouldn't surprise you that Rachel is a left-leaning pundit, but I appreciate that she holds all accountable on her show. She is respectful to all politicians, right and left. She has this great segment called "It's Pat" where she discusses a topic with Pat Buchanan who is undoubtedly on the opposite end of the political spectrum than she is. Rachel is wicked smart and has the chops that bring us back every night to her show.

Pie Lessons 101

2008-09-28T07:15:00.001-07:00

After a summer of pie making, I entered my friend Laura's kitchen to help her make her first pie. Laura chose a very challenging and highly rated pie recipe, Grandma Opal's Apple Pie from allrecipes.com.

Laura is a natural pie maker. She used her new pie making materials to make a pretty lattice crust top along with the leave cut outs that made this fall pie even more pleasing to the eye.

The special thing about this pie is that you do not toss the apples in cinnamon and sugar like I have done in the past. Instead, you make a yummy caramel sauce and pour it over the lattice top. The sauce drips down into the apples and is cooked into the crust to make it sweet and crunchy. Tim and I went back over to TC and Laura's place in the evening to enjoy a piece of pie with vanilla ice cream.

Midwestern Endorsement: Collapsible Market Tote

2008-09-26T12:57:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Laura, I have a new obsession. For my birthday, she gave me my first collapsible market tote. Mine is red perfect for storing just about anything. It is easy to find them online, but they are more expensive than I would like. However, if you have TJ Maxx where you are, you can find them for $10! I see these as the perfect gift. You can store items in your car, bring them to the store, or carry your food when you are invited to a potluck. So, if I know you, chances are, you are going to be receiving one of these at one point this year!

My Day

2008-09-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

People always ask, "How was your day?" I have decided to tell you every detail of my day.

I wake up at 6AM. I pack my lunch and head out about 7AM. I drive in the right hand lane at about five miles over the speed limit, but that still doesn't seem to be fast enough for Philadelphia drivers. They like to pass me with disgust.

I pull into the Dunkin' Donuts drive through. It is a cut throat drive through. I have had many drivers/drinkers think that the rules of the road do not apply to the drive through, but let me assure you. They do. It's funny what people try to do with their bumper.

After I get my medium hazelnut coffee with cream and sugar, I turn my ipod onto shuffle. Why do I wait until I get my coffee? Because it just seems right. I am just not sure that I could hear the music until I can taste the hazelnut.

I take a road that is mildly deserted in the wee hours of the morning. It's pretty and curvy.

I arrive at my little kindergarten center located on a beautiful college campus. I spend the hour and thirty minutes before the children arrive preparing plans, activities, and lessons for five and six year olds. During the next seven hours, I comfort the boo-boos. I sing the songs. I teach the lessons. I manage the young. I read the books. I build the blocks. I play the tag. I encourage. I admonish, if needed.

After all of the children are on the buses home, I head out to the local drug store. I can't believe how much stuff costs. I needed some odds and ends and those odds and ends add up.

I head home to discover three new netflix movie envelopes, one birthday card, two catalogues, and one bank statement in my mailbox. I call my friend. We chat. I write one email. I watch Hardball with Chris Matthews. And now, I am writing this blog post.

And now you know all about my typical day.

Philly Goodness

2008-09-09T14:16:00.002-07:00

I know that I often come to the Midwestern Position to lament rude behaviors that I encounter in my life in Philly, but tonight, that all changes. Tonight, I toast you, little old librarian at the Ardmore Public Library! I toast your sweet nature who wanted to find all of my books for me on my list even when I told her that I could do it. I toast you and your pretty impressive computer skills that found my books at other libraries. Little, Old Librarian, thanks for your extra effort and enthusiasm at your job.

More of the Same

2008-09-09T14:16:00.001-07:00

Cindy McCain is Filthy Rich

2008-09-04T17:26:00.001-07:00

I know that I have been writing a lot about my two cents about the election, but I simply cannot help myself tonight.

I like Laura Bush. I just do. I think she is a classy lady and I think she speaks with grace and empathy. I do not have anything against Cindy McCain, but I do have one issue with her.

On Monday night, Cindy McCain and Laura Bush spoke to the Republican National Convention and the American people to ask for donations for victims of Hurricane Gustav. Little did we know, Cindy was wearing an estimated $300,000 worth of clothing and jewelry.

Yes, you read that right. $300,000.

I can't swallow that she is asking people to donate in the middle of a near recession as she stands in an outfit that costs more than my house. I would happily donate to many causes, but Cindy standing there in her Oscar de la Renta and her three-carat diamond earrings does not convince me to give. I do not have my giving or not giving wrapped up in this Cindy McCain outfit, but I think it is something to consider when we have John McCain telling us that he can relate to our problems.

Yes, you could argue that it isn't John McCain's money, but trust me. John McCain is not eating Chef Boyardee at his seven kitchen tables.

Back to School

2008-08-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

This might be news to a few people, but I have decided to go back to school. It isn't for anything glamorous or life changing. I am going to get my Reading Specialist certificate so that I can one day be a reading teacher. This won't be for several years, but I know that I like to have lots of different doors open to me. In my professional life, I have taught three different grades. I have taught the same group of children for two years in a row. I have taught in public schools and a private school.

I received my class syllabus by email tonight and realized that I will be spending every waking minute reading young adult and children's books this semester. I am not exaggerating when I say that I will be reading at least 20 young adult novels. Twenty books is not a big deal, but I was also the student who got through junior high without ever EVER reading an assigned book. I know that sounds crazy, but I was just really good at absorbing information from class discussions. It wasn't that I was not reading during those years. I just wanted to read what I wanted to read.

So, now, I am going to be reading a lot of young adult literature again. I decided that since this is grad school again, I cannot resort to my 14 year old behavior of 'fakin' it till I make it' in class. I read my first book Star Girl by Jerry Spinelli. I picked it up at 9 PM and finished it in two hours. If you know me, I like any junior high love story especially if there is a quirky girl and a smitten boy in it.

I am going to try to take advantage of the required reading and use it as a time machine back to my own junior high and high school days.

History Being Made on Both Fronts

2008-08-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

John McCain chose Sarah Palin, the year and a half Governor of Alaska, as his vice-presidential running mate. Lots of political pundits are trying to interpret the purpose and strategy behind John McCain's choice.

Well, most of the pundits are stating the obvious. He is trying to win the women who may be disgruntled with Hillary Rodham Clinton's loss. As a woman, I feel the need to comment on his choice. I am going to be all over the place, but that is how my brain is reacting to this choice.

I am thrilled that another woman is at the front of a major political party. I look forward to even more women making the scene in our political parties. That being said...McCain is either completely delusional or 100% out of touch...I am going with out of touch on this issue and so many more. He can't possibly believe that simply choosing a female running mate will bring women to vote for him.

If that is his motivation, it is insulting to women. Women care about issues more than just gender. I don't care if she is a mom, a wife, a worker, a woman. She stands on the opposite end of every issue that I care about.

She is enthusiastic. I like that. However, I fear that pundits and media will be hard on Joe Biden because he will smoke her on every issue and they will play the gender card.

Along with this, I think it is irresponsible to choose ANYONE who has had a year and a half in executive government to be second in line of a 72 year old President who has battled cancer four times.

Lastly, I don't want to see any pundits, politicians, and journalists going easy on this hockey mom who looks like she could be your next door neighbor, your right-wing-gun-lovin'-hatin' on gays and choice neighbor. We all know that no one should be given a pass because she is a novice in the game. No one has taken it easy on Hillary Clinton. The pundits are saying that if Palin simply gets through her debate with Joe Biden, she will win.

THAT IS NOT RIGHT. She should have to stand, defend, and explain with depth and passion to win a debate. Just because she is inexperienced in comparison to Biden, doesn't mean she should get a pass. As a woman, I want all women treated as equals and that includes in politics.

Peach Time

2008-08-29T09:04:00.001-07:00

Berry season is nearing a finish and peach season is here! There was no better way to spend an afternoon than peach picking with my good friend Amy who was visiting from Brooklyn. Not only did we get to pick our own locally grown peaches, but a hayride took us to our peach trees. Thank goodness, we had an old curmudgeon hayride driver too.

Now, I gave some peaches to Amy to take back to Brooklyn, but I am still left with a lot of peaches. We made a peach cobbler last night for dessert and a golden peach pie this afternoon. I am open to more peach ideas.

Amy indulged my new interest in food photography and took a few photos of the peach cobbler process.

Can't Get Enough

2008-08-27T17:57:00.001-07:00

I am on Day Three of my complete addiction to the Democratic National Convention.

And I am so emotional. The little videos about Teddy Kennedy, Michelle Obama, and Hillary Clinton has brought more than one tear to my eye.

Today, when Barack Obama was the first African-American nominated by the Democratic party, I was close to overwhelmed along with those delegates who were so besides themselves.

Last night, Hillary was amazing. She is amazing. It didn't surprise me when she reminded all of us why we are fighting the good fight to bring change to the White House and to our country. I am looking so forward to the message that Bill Clinton will bring tonight. And...I hope Biden will bring the heat to Bush, Cheney, and McCain.

Legos Are Still Fun

2008-08-23T16:02:00.000-07:00

We spend a lot of Saturdays working on the yard or some other project around the house. However, today, we went to the American Swedish Museum to check out The Art of the Brick created by Nathan Sawaya. Each piece is created with Lego.

Here, Tim is looking at a piece that is made completely of Lego including the brown frame and white canvas. It isn't the first time that we've seen Lego made into amazing creations, but this is the first time that we've seen it displayed as an art instillation.

Joe Biden is a Great Choice!

2008-08-23T14:05:00.001-07:00

Midwestern Recipe: Blueberry Pie

2008-08-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

I really wanted to take an appealing picture of the yummy blueberry pie that I baked this afternoon, but it was a bit juicy and I lost all control over the pie. I will still share the photo and the recipe.

I called Tim to tell him to NOT EAT THE PIE until I returned from an appointment that I had this evening because I wanted to take a picture. The minute that I entered the house, Tim said, "Take a picture of the pie." He didn't even say hello, but I forgive him because the man loves pies.

I bought this enormous box of blueberries at Trader Joe's today and they needed to baked into a pie. I have a few leftover for blueberry pancakes on Saturday. Chilled blueberry soup will also be made on Saturday in honor of our visit to the American Swedish Museum here in Philadelphia. Did you know that Philly had the earliest Swedish immigrants and that chilled blueberry soup is a popular summer treat that's equally welcome as an appetizer or dessert in Sweden? We are going to the museum to check out a Lego exhibit, but we'll take in the other permanent exhibits too.

Okay, the pie. I use the Better Homes and Garden's red plaid cookbook for this recipe. It is the cookbook that everyone should have because it has every basic recipe in it. I like any cookbook that keeps it simple. I have seen it in the bargain bin at Borders. Pick it up if you don't have it already.

2/3 to 3/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 cups blueberries
1 tablespoons lemon juice
Milk(optional)
Sugar (optional)

In a large mixing bowl combine the 2/3 to 3/4 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour. Stir in berries and lemon peel. Gently toss berries until coated. Transfer berry mixture to the pastry-lined pie plate. Cover with rolled-pie crust and flute the edges.

If desired, brush pastry top with a little milk and sprinkle with additional sugar.

To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes more or until top is golden. Cool on wire rack.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better, Jack

2008-08-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading this blog for awhile, it isn't a secret where I stand politically. The earliest election that I cared about was 1984 when I was eight years old and rooting for Walter Mondale. It isn't normal for an eight year old to care about primaries and polls. However, I come from a long line of farmers, blue collar workers, veterans who would spend any family get together discussing past, present, and future political leaders and the issues that mattered to us.

I feel passionately about many issues, yet Jack Cafferty at CNN wrote a commentary that said it best. Because this is my blog and I can share whatever I want to share, I am choosing to share this article. And remember, it is a commentary.

"NEW YORK (CNN) -- Russia invades Georgia and President Bush goes on vacation. Our president has spent one-third of his entire two terms in office either at Camp David, Maryland, or at Crawford, Texas, on vacation.

His time away from the Oval Office included the month leading up to 9/11, when there were signs Osama bin Laden was planning to attack America, and the time Hurricane Katrina destroyed the city of New Orleans.

Sen. John McCain takes weekends off and limits his campaign events to one a day. He made an exception for the religious forum on Saturday at Saddleback Church in Southern California.

I think he made a big mistake. When he was invited last spring to attend a discussion of the role of faith in his life with Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, at Messiah College in Pennsylvania, McCain didn't bother to show up. Now I know why.

It occurs to me that John McCain is as intellectually shallow as our current president. When asked what his Christian faith means to him, his answer was a one-liner. "It means I'm saved and forgiven." Great scholars have wrestled with the meaning of faith for centuries. McCain then retold a story we've all heard a hundred times about a guard in Vietnam drawing a cross in the sand.

Asked about his greatest moral failure, he cited his first marriage, which ended in divorce. While saying it was his greatest moral failing, he offered nothing in the way of explanation. Why not?

Throughout the evening, McCain chose to recite portions of his stump speech as answers to the questions he was being asked. Why? He has lived 71 years. Surely he has some thoughts on what it all means that go beyond canned answers culled from the same speech he delivers every day.

He was asked "if evil exists." His response was to repeat for the umpteenth time that Osama bin Laden is a bad man and he will pursue him to "the gates of hell." That was it.

He was asked to define rich. After trying to dodge the question -- his wife is worth a reported $100 million -- he finally said he thought an income of $5 million was rich.

One after another, McCain's answers were shallow, simplistic, and trite. He showed the same intellectual curiosity that George Bush has -- virtually none.

Where are John McCain's writings exploring the vexing moral issues of our time? Where are his position papers setting forth his careful consideration of foreign policy, the welfare state, education, America's moral responsibility in the world, etc., etc., etc.?

John McCain graduated 894th in a class of 899 at the Naval Academy at Annapolis. His father and grandfather were four star admirals in the Navy. Some have suggested that might have played a role in McCain being admitted. His academic record was awful. And it shows over and over again whenever McCain is called upon to think on his feet.

He no longer allows reporters unfettered access to him aboard the "Straight Talk Express" for a reason. He simply makes too many mistakes. Unless he's reciting talking points or reading from notes or a TelePrompTer, John McCain is lost. He can drop bon mots at a bowling alley or diner -- short glib responses that get a chuckle, but beyond that McCain gets in over his head very quickly.

I am sick and tired of the president of the United States embarrassing me. The world we live in is too complex to entrust it to someone else whose idea of intellectual curiosity and grasp of foreign policy issues is to tell us he can look into Vladimir Putin's eyes and see into his soul.

George Bush's record as a student, military man, businessman and leader of the free world is one of constant failure. And the part that troubles me most is he seems content with himself.

He will leave office with the country $10 trillion in debt, fighting two wars, our international reputation in shambles, our government cloaked in secrecy and suspicion that his entire presidency has been a litany of broken laws and promises, our citizens' faith in our own country ripped to shreds. Yet Bush goes bumbling along, grinning and spewing moronic one-liners, as though nobody understands what a colossal failure he has been.

I fear to the depth of my being that John McCain is just like him."

Furniture Frenzy

2008-08-16T16:27:00.001-07:00

The one word that I would use to describe today's trip to IKEA would be FRANTIC. I was calmly walking through the neatly fabricated rooms in the monster store, IKEA, when I noticed the frenzy in the eyes of other shoppers.

Either they left their brains in the car or they were entranced by the easy-to-assemble furniture, but most people were flitting around without any concern for other shoppers. I should have known better for going on a Saturday on a weekend when many college students were moving to the area.

It is difficult to describe the frantic behaviors. All I know is that I was left wanting the peace and quiet that my car offered after this experience. Next time, I will go on a Wednesday morning.

Back in the Swing of Things

2008-08-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

It has taken some getting used to our normal lives back in Philly. We both jumped into our work routines because school looms on the horizon for us. I probably write this every year, but I just love the first weeks of school.

Don't get me wrong. I like my job all year long, but the buzz and flutter of the weeks before the children come are filled with preparation and organization. Creating a warm and welcoming environment where we can all be together for 180 days. I have my rituals each year. I may not always do them in the same order, but they must be done.

Organize the cubby room.
This year, it was a mess. So, with the help of some to-go boxes from a friend who enjoys Chinese take out and some labels, it is a cubby room that even the most finicky person could tolerate. Because that is the kindergartners' space, it gets trashed pretty regularly, but I am hoping that a little preparation before their arrival will help.

Trip to the Teacher Store
I like to buy the same things each year. New library pockets for a cute check in poster. New stickers for rewards. Mr. Sketch-it smelly markers for poster making. However, this year, I could not resist some jumbo foam dice. Part of being a kindergarten teacher is keeping things novel and new. The dice will help with that.
Bulletin Boards
I do not do elaborate bulletin boards because I like to use them for the children's work. I do replace the faded paper with new paper. Now, they are empty waiting for five year old creations.

Reading
I am rereading The First Six Weeks of School, but I have a few other books that I am interested in for the fall. I hope to get through one more before the big day.

I have a very long to-do list, but I have three weeks to do it.

My Midwestern Adventure - By the Numbers

2008-08-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

Four
The number of weeks we have been away from our home in Philadelphia to see friends and family in the midwest.

Ten
The number of states that we drove through during our trip to and from the midwest.
Our favorite new state is West Virginia. We had not driven through the central part of West Virginia until this summer. It was incredibly beautiful and recommend a drive through West Virginia to anyone.

22
The variety of brats that were being sold at the North Dakota meat shop where my mom buys her grillin' goods.

Ten
The number of toddlers and pre-schoolers that we enjoyed during our travels. Tim became known among the pre-school boys to be the guy who can build great Lego and fix Transformers.

$4.50
I love that I pay $4.50 for a matinee in the midwest! I went to Mamma Mia with my mom and my sister-in-law in the midwest. When the girl behind the counter told me the title, I had to ask if she was sure!

40
The number of years that my parents have been married! We helped them celebrate their anniversary with a celebration with family and friends.

One
The number of Barack Obama pins that I purchased from this sweet elderly lady in Grand Forks who gives all of the money to the democratic headquarters in town. After I bought a pin, she showed me her garden.

Midwestern Tales

2008-07-27T07:28:00.001-07:00

Have you been wondering where I have been? Tim and I have been enjoying our annual midwestern adventures. Our first stop was in Missouri where we spent time with our family and our sweet niece, Leah. Of course, no trip is complete to Missouri without taking in a St. Louis Cardinals game.

It was our first time to the new Busch Stadium. The Cards were playing the Brewers in one of the warmest games that I have ever been to. We avoided the beer and just had water. We lost, but it was still a great evening.

After Missouri, we took off for Iowa to see some of our friends from our three years in the state. Tim and I have enjoyed three-year old Caden. From Legos to Pirates, we have played a large variety of play themes. I am making stops at all of my favorite scrapbook stores since I haven't found any proper scrapbook stores in the east. Our next stop will be in Minneapolis where I will catch up with my high school and college friends.

On the Road Again

2008-07-21T05:41:00.001-07:00

I am no longer in Philly. We have hit the wide open spaces that the United States Interstate system has to offer. Being educators, we have the perk of having our summers off. This allows us to travel for a month and see all of the friends and family along the way.

We took a new route through West Virginia and Kentucky. Although our lil' four cylinder Honda Accord may not agree, the hills of West Virginia are one of America's secret treasures. Beautiful. I kept pointing out the window to valleys and mountain tops and saying, "Look at that!" I am sure at some point, Tim didn't need my instruction to look. He was equally impressed with this untouched nature.

We have spent that last three days with Tim's brother, his wife, and our sweet little niece, Leah. She is 10 months old and keeps us entertained for hours. I am taking the opportunity to use my video capabilities on my camera. Tonight, we'll take in a St. Louis Cardinals baseball game. It'll be hot, but I know Tim will love every minute of it. Go Cards!

Gamin'

2008-07-16T11:25:00.000-07:00

I had no idea, but I guess I am a great bowler! Now, I realize that the wii controller is lighter and less cumbersome than an actual bowling ball, but I did have several strikes the other night at TC and Laura's place.

I can't say that I am a terrific driver in the land of wii. When I played Mario Kart, I drove off of cliffs and into the ocean. I can't forget that I also drove into the on-coming traffic. It didn't help that I was laughing hysterically at myself and my inability to stay on the road.

It's been a long time since we've hung out with a couple and felt so very comfortable, but that is how it is with TC and Laura. They are midwestern folk from Iowa and that is my favorite kind of folk. Good company, good food, and good gaming makes for a good night.

Tastes Change, I Guess

2008-07-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

Maybe I have already asked this...

Is it possible to love something that you once detested? This whole new way of thinking has taken me over. The other day, I grilled some portobella mushrooms with a balsamic and garlic sauce. I cook with mushrooms because I know other people like them even if I have never been a fan. Tim convinced me to try a piece because he thought they turned out very well. Sure enough, I liked it.

How could this be? I had spent 30 years thinking that I didn't like mushrooms. Maybe it was the canned version that I had a distaste for, but now, I like mushrooms.

Another example would be the band Journey. For years, I just couldn't stand listening to them. I think part of it was a childhood where the radio station played way too many monster ballads and hair bands. True, Journey is not a hair band but they definitely sang some fist pumping music. I just wanted to take a scissor to the whole bunch. However, now I am kind of smitten with Journey. It could be that I can sing to their songs in the privacy of my car and at my convenience rather than have them forced down my throat or it could be that my tastes are changing. The question is...are they changing for the better or worse.

Xponential Music Festival

2008-07-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday was spent at the Xponential Music Festival in on the Camden Waterfront across the river from Philadelphia. It was hosted by my favorite radio station WXPN and had acts that are right up my folky alley.

Whenever I travel somewhere new, and this is especially true when I am traveling near downtown Philly, I have a detailed sheet of directions with even the smallest particular listed. These plans rarely steer me wrong.

I had packed a cooler with yummy fruits and snacks. Lots of beverages were cooled within the cooler to help us stay hydrated during this typical Philadelphia summer day...humid. So, we arrived without any problems, but as I pull into the parking lot and start to hand the parking attendant the money, I realize that I have forgotten the tickets to the concert! How could I have done that?

Basically, it was one of those moments when you are too planned and too organized so that you forget the most important thing that you need. So, we drove all of the way back to my house to get the tickets. It added another hour onto our drive and it annoyed me to know end.

Tickets in hand, we arrived back in Camden to enjoy an afternoon of music. The funny thing about music festivals is how many people break out their tie-dye just for these occasions. I don't think these people sport tie-dye on normal days, but there is something about jam bands and grassy knolls that call to pseudo-hippies.

I enjoyed Amos Lee and Teddy Thompson the most. The other bands included Railroad Earth and Nicole Atkins. There was more music today, but after a day in the sun, I realized that I am a one-day kind of music festival person.

Doing the Small Things

2008-07-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

Summer is about half over for me. I feel like I have accomplished a lot, but why accomplish anything at all. Why do I have this sense to check things off of a list or spend time well. I guess that I am a doer.

I don't even know if doer is a word, but it describes me. For example, today, I will make some hummus. This hummus will be a great snack for the music festival that I am going to tomorrow. I will go to Target and get some of those low beach chairs too.

This is exactly why I am a doer. It makes things nice and organized to avoid chaos. It's not that I hate chaos. I just like to control what I can control. Oh. Now I am a doer and a controller. This is no surprise.

I never try to accomplish something that I won't enjoy. I try to spend my time well doing the things that bring joy to my life. Baking. Gardening. Music. Grocery Shopping. These are the simple pleasures in my life.

Sometimes, I will think about my late grandmother and think about the life that she led. She lived in the country and found joy in the simple things like birds, her family, her garden, and the nature that surrounded her. She also knew the importance of sitting down and just having long moments of peace. She found happiness in the simple pleasures in life.

Maybe being a doer is not such a bad thing. Maybe it is a good thing when you are doing the things you love. I tell Tim all of the time that we live a charmed life. We have these relaxing summers where we work about one third of the time. There is never a rush to our life. We get up and start the day in a leisurely fashion. We spend our days doing exactly what we want to be doing in the summer.

Midwestern Recipe: Caramel-Pecan Rolls

2008-07-11T03:32:00.000-07:00

See...these are the moments when I wish I had some neighbors that were lifelong friends who I could invite over for a fresh, ooey-gooey caramel roll that was made from scratch. They'd come over and we'd sit down with a cup of coffee and their kids would be all sticky from the ooey-gooey caramel. And I would encourage seconds when their moms really just want them to have one.

After the yeast disaster earlier in the week, I had grand success with this batch. See, I can't shy away from failure. I can't let it beat me even in my baking world.

So, the picture to the left shows just how ooey-gooey they turned out to be! I found this recipe on the Taste of Home website. The caramel sauce was just how I liked it.

CARAMEL PECAN ROLLS
2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk (110° to 115°)
2 eggs
5 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
5 cups all-purpose flour

CARAMEL SAUCE:
1 cup butter or margarine, cubed
2 cups packed brown sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped pecans

FILLING:
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm milk. Add the eggs, butter, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Meanwhile, for sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with pecans; set aside.

Punch the dough down. Turn onto a floured surface. Roll into a 17-in. x 15-in. rectangle. Spread butter to within 1/2 in. of edges. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; inch seams to seal.

Cut into 15 slices. Place cut side down over caramel sauce. Cover; let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes; invert onto a serving platter.

Midwestern Recipe: Lemon Cake

2008-07-07T17:39:00.001-07:00

The Midwestern Position is quickly becoming the place for recipes and that is just about it. I wish I had other adventures to share, but I seem to be spending lots of time baking and, of course, taking pictures of it.

Today's treat...Lemon Cake. This is a Barefoot Contessa recipe that I have wanted to try for some time. It is was really simple. The sugar syrup at the end of the baking process is very important so don't skip it. Also, don't feel the need to have 6 to 8 lemons on hand. I had three and was able to get the zest that I needed. I also used lemon juice from a bottle when I ran out of fresh lemon juice. No problem.

I think this is the perfect treat if you invited a friend over for coffee in the afternoon. Oh, how I wish I had a friend to invite over for a coffee, but that is for another post. For now, I will eat lemon cake by myself with coffee in the afternoon.

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, divided
4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6 to 8 large lemons)
3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
3/4 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
3 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/4 by 2 1/2-inch) loaf pans. You may also line the bottom with parchment paper, if desired.

Cream the butter and 2 cups granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on medium speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, and the lemon zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup lemon juice, the buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning and ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until a cake tester comes out clean.

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1/2 cup lemon juice in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves. When the cakes are done, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set them on a rack set over a tray or sheet pan; spoon the lemon syrup over them. Allow the cakes to cool completely.

For the glaze, combine the confectioners' sugar and the lemon juice in a bowl, mixing with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze to drizzle down the sides.

Fourth and More

2008-07-06T11:31:00.000-07:00

Having the Fourth of July on a Friday is not very special since I have Fridays off during the summer. However, it is very special for Tim to take an entire weekday off to spend it together. For most holidays, we are traveling or hosting, so it was a nice change to have it be just the two of us.

Our plans were beautiful. We were going to go and spend the day at the Tyler Arboretum. Unfortunately, it started to rain as we drove to the arboretum. So, we quickly found the local movie house and saw the 10AM showing of Hancock. It is not as beautiful and nature-loving, but it was relaxing.

I am not sure if all of the stars were aligned or something was in the water, but we both got the organizing and cleaning urge after the movie. Tim worked in the basement while I worked in the rest of the house. It was perfect actually because we were not on any kind of time table or schedule. We took breaks when we wanted to and the house looks great. If were not for the rainy weather, we might have spent this energy outside, but the house is in order.

Oh, and I also tried to make some caramel rolls, but my dough did not rise. I am very unsuccessful with yeast. I think the water was too warm. It is new yeast. UGH. I will try again soon, but will need some baking successes in between so I do not get bakers low-self-esteem.

I realize as I reread this post, I seem like an old-fashioned girl. Cleaning. Baking. I like that. I am going to think more about that and maybe write more about the virtues of being an old-fashioned girl.

Midwestern Recipe: Homemade Nutter Butters

2008-07-02T04:41:00.000-07:00

Okay, I think I might be going a little crazy with my new mixer. Usually, I shy away from cookies because they are so much work compared to a nice bar cookie, but the new mixer inspires me to do more. I found this recipe online and couldn't resist.

Don't worry though. I didn't eat all of the cookies. Just one. (It is really two cookies though because of the sandwich part!) I gave the rest away to our co-workers.

FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 pound (4 sticks) butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter, preferably Skippy
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1/3 cup coarsely chopped peanuts
2½ cups quick-cooking oats

For the filling:
¼ pound (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
½ cup creamy peanut butter, preferably Skippy
1 2/3 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. For cookie dough: preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder and baking soda; set aside. Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and peanut butter. Add sugars and beat at medium speed for 4 minutes, scraping down bowl twice.

2. At low speed, add eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture and beat at low speed until well mixed, frequently scraping down bowl. Add peanuts and oats, and mix well. Using an ice cream scoop 2 inches in diameter, place balls of dough on parchment-lined baking sheets at least three inches apart. Bake until cookies have spread and turned very light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool and firm up, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool completely before filling.

3. For filling: using an electric mixer, cream together the butter, peanut butter and confectioners’ sugar until very smooth.

4. To assemble cookies, spread a thin layer (about 1/8 inch) on underside of a cookie. Sandwich with another cookie. Repeat.

Yield: 24 large cookies.

Living Biblically

2008-07-01T18:23:00.000-07:00

I have been reading this book, The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs. Long book, short...this guy who lives in NYC decided to live his life according to all Biblical tenants and rules. It sounds sort of deep and overwhelming, but as a reader, it is fascinating how he follows obscure rules in this 20th century world
He is clever and witty so each page is filled with funny stories about his family or the religious intellectuals or scholars that he meets. I am always impressed with anyone who can do something out of the ordinary for a year. The only thing that I have done for a year is not eat McDonald's. I should do that for a lifetime.
Next on my nightstand is Julie and Julia : My Year of Cooking Dangerously. It is the story of one woman's quest to complete all of the Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I, in a period of 365 days. Again, the year is fascinating to me.

Midwestern Recipes: Lemon Zinger Crisps

2008-06-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 small lemons
5 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar, plus additional for dusting
1 large egg, separated
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 sheets parchment paper

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Grate zest from 1 lemon directly over another mixing bowl. Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a third bowl; set aside. Add butter to lemon zest and beat with an electric mixer on medium until combined. Add sugar a little at a time; beat 1 minute. Add yolk (cover egg white with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use) and half the flour mixture; beat on low until just combined. Add lemon juice, vanilla and remaining flour mixture. Beat until just combined. Form dough into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter.

Cover tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 3 hours.

Heat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Cut dough into 40 thin rounds and place on baking sheets. Whisk egg white with 1/4 teaspoon water; brush on top of cookies. Dust each with a bit of sugar. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden. (If baking both sheets of cookies at the same time, alternate positions halfway through.) Let cool on baking sheet 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Punk Rock Flea Market Finds

2008-06-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend, Dana, I was able to attend the Punk Rock Flea Market in Philadelphia today. I had no idea what to expect except for a lot of music in all of its forms. Crates of vinyl and shoe boxes full of CDs. My purchases ranged from the reasonable $7 to the almost a steal of $2.

Best Buy of the Day
Greetings From Michigan: The Great Lakes State by Sufjan Stevens

Next to a pile of old earrings, homemade journals, and an old Monopoly game was this dandy of a CD for $2. Sufjan Steven's mellow sound is worth so much more than $2, but I wasn't going to tell these two girls this. This is the type of album that you listen to when you are deep in conversation with someone or when you want to be thoughtful on a Sunday night.

Why Don't I Already Own This Find of the Day
Transatlanticism by Death Cab for Cutie

Ever since the song "Transatlanticism" was played on the television show "Six Feet Under", I have ranked it as one of the most beautiful songs. It is a long song at 7 minutes 55 seconds, but worth it. I am glad to own the whole album now. My favorite lyric from Transatlanticism is " The rhythm of my footsteps crossing floodlands to your door have been silenced forever more."

Back in the Day Purchase
Best of Inxs

Oh man! I am sure if we took a close look at my INXS Kick cassette tape, it would be on its last leg. I played that tape so damn much on my duel-deck tape player in my room back in 1987-1989. INXS was one of the rare bands at the time that I listened to that actually had songs on the radio. Most of my radio and cassette time was spent listening to the oldies station or public radio folk station. As I listen to it this afternoon, I still dig it.

A New Tool

2008-06-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

This bad boy has a new home in the corner of my kitchen. I purchased the KitchenAid Artisan Mixer today and plan to spend the next forty-five years using it to make sweet treats and more.

Like all prized artifacts in my life, it is deserving of a name. I don't name things lightly. He might remain unnamed for several weeks until an event takes place or a treat is made and it comes to me.

It is onyx black and that might lead to a name too. Now, I just have to take better pictures of my food that I make. I have been experimenting with a different feature on my camera that helps focus on the food item that I want to see in each photo.

Berry Good

2008-06-27T12:50:00.000-07:00

Does anyone else want to jump for joy for berry season? I came home from Produce Junction today with the works. I put those berries to work and made a pie. Of course, I saved some too just for snackin'. This is a photo pre-pie.

During the week, I am usually at work. However, I get each Friday off during the summer. I drove around more today than I usually do since I am hunting for decorating treasures for our three-season porch. Unfortunately, other people were driving too. I forget how impatient people are. I forget what bad drivers people are. Rude too.

It takes a lot of mental stamina to go on errands and not come home vexed. As I stand in line watching a middle aged woman lose her patience with the 80 year old woman taking too long to bag her groceries, I get angry. I offer to help the lil' old lady who accepts my help. She confides in me that the middle aged lady is making her feel uncomfortable. I reassure her that she is in the regular check out and if the other woman was in such a hurry, she should have gone to the express or self-check out. I say it loud too. The middle aged woman looks at me like she wants to say something to me, but realizes that I am right and just waits. Now, who is feeling uncomfortable. Not me.

I am so tired of the impatience in the world. I want people to stop honking. I want people to relax. I want people to stop complaining...oh, wait, I am doing that right now. UGH.

Well, you know what I mean.

Friday Adventure: Carly Simon at Free at Noon

2008-06-20T18:15:00.001-07:00

Another Friday has come and gone with another free concert at WXPN. After last Friday's treat of James Hunter, I couldn't wait to see who would be performing. Then, I received the email that the legendary singer/songwriter Carly Simon would be performing!

Not only did Carly Simon grace their stage, but Yael Naim who is a newbie to the music scene. You might be more familiar with her Apple commercial song "New Soul" for the new thin ibook.

Carly Simon was promoting a new CD so she performed several songs from that CD. They were quite sentimental, but I was patient for some of her classic material. That has to be frustrating for artists. There are some musicians who I love everything they have ever done. But...with Carly, I just want to hear "You're So Vain", "Let the River Run", and "Haven't Got Time for the Rain". Well, she sang the first two with new arrangements that made the old songs fresh and interesting.

Her son, Ben Taylor, also performed with her. Without knowing the connection to Carly Simon and James Taylor, I had become a fan of his music. I actually had more Ben Taylor on Iris the ipod than his mom. I still can't believe that I live so close to such a great opportunity each Friday. Thankfully, I have the luxury to have Fridays off of work and can venture downtown to enjoy it.

A Good Ten Minutes

2008-06-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

This was an interesting idea to be self-absorbed and creative...two of my favorite ways to waste time!

The rules of this project...
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. A picture that you took.

Save the mosaic to your computer and enjoy.

Don't Steal. It's Wrong.

2008-06-18T15:22:00.001-07:00

In honor of my first victimization, I am going to write about what I would buy if I stole someone's credit card and went bat-crazy with it. Yes, my credit and debit card were stolen yesterday and someone had a heck of a day with it. $2000 later, someone had a great afternoon on my tab. Thankfully, the banks will cover those expenditures, but it can shake my faith in the decency in humanity.

Wishful Pilfered Purchase #1
Plenty of people who are lesser cooks than myself have this bad boy and I want one. I have wanted one for many years and I think this might be my birthday present for myself this year. We are to the point where we just buy what we REALLY, REALLY want for our birthdays. It will be mine.

Wishful Pilfered Purchase #2
I would like nothing better than to put a beach vacation on someone else's credit card. Tim and I were discussing if we were the type of people who could do nothing for a week on the beach or a cabin in the woods. We decided that we just might be. I would like there to be a daiquiri, margarita, or pina colada in my hand at the beginning of each hour on this stolen vacation.

Wishful Pilfered Purchase #3
True. I can't buy Barack Obama, but I could give him a big chunk of coin to help him defeat John McCain. Maybe I would buy some sweet t-shirts that would show people exactly where I stand in this election season. See...it doesn't make sense to steal someone's credit card to donate the money. I am not a natural at this sneaky, illegal stuff.

Wishful Pilfered Purchase #4
This is my new desk. Right now, I have a lovely mission style desk but it is a bit of a monster. It is huge. I am transforming my mud room into an office and I need a slick desk and this cutie of a desk is at Crate and Barrel and wants me to buy it. I'll have to wait until I can steal someone's credit card because it just isn't a priority until then.

Wishful Pilfered Purchase #5
Well, I guess if you are going to steal, steal big. Why not buy a car. Since sitting in Dana's lil' Fit, I have pined for one. Not only for the size, but for the gas mileage. I would like to zoom around in this silver bullet and not have to pay for it.

Ah, but it just doesn't fit me. I am not a criminal. My sense of justice is just too strong. There is a right and a wrong. If I want these things, I must work for them. To steal for them is just not as satisfying. To the one who stole the cards, you can have them. I still have the ethic to work and the pride to save my pennies.

Midwestern Endorsement: James Hunter

2008-06-15T05:43:00.000-07:00

James Hunter is as cool as he looks. We were lucky enough to see him at WXPN's Free at Noon concert series this Friday.

A blue-eyed soul artist, James Hunter and his band wrap up a tight package of upbeat songs with plenty of jams to keep things interesting. His voice is amazing in all of its highs and lows. I almost felt like I had taken a time machine to the early 60's with his similarities to Sam Cooke, but he is an original and absolutely contemporary in his sound. He has no problem stepping back from the microphone to let his five piece band to share some of the spotlight.

His website has full versions of the songs off of his new album, The Hard Way. You can also find James Hunter on itunes.