Category Archives: books

Savoring a new year

10 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in books

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

I’m a little torn. A new year kicks off and we are supposed to make resolutions to be healthier and get off the sugar benders we’d been on as the year came to a close. I’m sure you’ve noticed, and if you haven’t here’s your nudge, I changed my header. This year I’m resolving to drink more, so I thought I’d give a nod to that in my header.

Be assured there will be plenty of posts about smoothies, one bowl dinners, macaroni and cheese, and of course pizza. This year I’m going to join the botanic garden and find new ways to give back to my community. I even joined Good Reads.  Come find me over there, I’m interested to see what you have on your bookshelves.

The one thing I really, really miss about not having a Tennessee drivers license, is I can’t get a library card. So, I’ve kept the mail carrier and Amazon busy the last month. Here’s what I have by my bedside.

IMG_7680

Enjoy your Sunday. Sit back and have another Bloody Mary.  Monday isn’t here yet.

glee finds the library

21 Monday May 2012

Posted by in books

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

I’m sure you folks are tired of me prattling on about my love of the library.  But I laughed out loud when I saw this and I had to share!

I have season 1 of Glee from the library.  I know.  I’m late to the greatness that is Glee.  I am making a real effort to bring more happy tv into the mix.  My viewing is too heavily weighted with death and crime.  I’m happy watching the CSI and Law and Order marathons, but found they were entering my dreams if I watched right before bed.

So, Glee…

Finn: “I got this at the school library.” (Finn pulls the Never Die Easy, Walter Payton autobiography out of his bag)
“Did you know you can just borrow books from there?  All of them.  Except for the encyclopedias.”

With last week’s election, we voted to continue our support of the library.  I thought I’d remind you to show your local library some love.

I’m all warm and fuzzy

19 Thursday Jan 2012

Posted by in books

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

I write this blog purely for my own entertainment.  Hopefully those of you who stumble by here also find a little tasty humor as well.  The things I talk about are the random rambling of my own twisted making.  I am not paid to tell you about the restaurants I eat at, the booze I drink, or the pork that I buy.  I tell you about these things because I want to.

So, today, I got the most exciting text from my friend Megan. (who’ll I’ll shake my finger at because she never commented on the bacon nuttiness and that post was at her insistence- but today may make up for that)


I had to self censor the expletive I used to express my delight.

I have professed my love for my public library a few times here (and here).  But today, I got the love back.  After I saw Megan’s text, I found a great email from Kim at Multnomah County Library:

“I do the Facebook page for Multnomah County Library and I happened upon your awesome shout-out in praise of the MCL app. Just wanted you to know that we’ll be featuring it on our FB page today.

Thanks for the library love!

Cheers,
Kim (Programming & Outreach Librarian)”

So, I share my warm fuzzy with you on a cold, wet winter day.  Remember to visit your local library.  If you can’t go to the brick and mortar building, go to their website.  Not only does your local library have tons of incredible books, there are dvd’s, cd’s, tax forms, book clubs, special events, e-books, and downloadable music.  We have an incredible resource in our local (often forgotten and neglected) library.

I’ll share my warm fuzzy with one last shout-out to Kristin, who volunteers once a week at my neighborhood library.  Thanks to all the volunteers and folks who keep my library so awesome!  and Thank you Kim for sharing Lula Harp with all your library lovers.

what are you reading?

16 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in books

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

I’ve mentioned before how much I love my library. Multnomah County Library even has an app. How cool is that?! I meet some hot guy in a bar and we get to talking about Tolstoy and Gorey and I can just add books to my reserve list right there. (we won’t discuss the rudeness of me pulling out my phone in front of this guy.) In reality what happens is when I wake up at my usual 2am with my mind racing, I can roll over, grab my phone, add a book to the list and (hopefully) go back to sleep.

Most of what I get from the library are “how-to” books. how to cook, craft, build a barn…

With the new year upon us and a resolve to eat better, this month’s library selection reflects that.

Peter Reinhart’s American Pie is a journey to the perfect pizza. He continues his quest on his blog.

Cooking Light Soups and Stews is a great collection of easy soups that I ultimately take for lunches.

Another Peter Reinhart about artisan breads, the topic he is best known for. In this book he makes it a bit more approachable for the home baker.

Madhur Jaffrey Foolproof Indian Cooking. I enjoy all of her books. She has such a comfortable way to her writing that gives you the confidence to try anything.

Another Cooking Light, this one about baking. I’m always playing around to see what works. Bread is usually a waste of space, but if I can make it healthier then I may be more apt to give up those calories.

What’s on your bed-side table or to-read shelf?

library time and happy hour at home

13 Thursday Oct 2011

Posted by in books, cocktails, kombucha

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Combing 2 topics into one since I’ve been remiss and haven’t posted much this week.  I’ve been busy doing… nothing.  sorry, nothing exciting.

So today I stopped at the library to pick up my stack on hold.  More cooking and baking goodness with a dash of color and style.

How to Cook Everything Vegetarian by Mark Bittman
The Boozy Baker by Lucy Baker
Cooking by Hand by Paul Bertolli
1000 Ideas for Home Design and Decoration by Mariana Eguaras Etchetto

Following this week’s library raid I had dinner and cocktails with the girls.  Kristin has been making kombucha (for those of you who don’t know kombucha is a fermented tea that may or may not contain health benefits).  So to start the evening I had a kombucha cocktail.  This was yummy!
3/4z plain vodka
3/4z Hot Monkey vodka
4-5 ounces of kombucha

Kristin had the Perfect 31.
3 parts pineapple
1 part Hot Monkey

What a way to spend a Thursday evening.  Giggling with the girls and sipping cocktails.  Life is good.

what are you reading?

03 Monday Oct 2011

Posted by in books

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

I am constantly reading.  Blogs.  Cookbooks.  Murder mysteries.  Suspense.

I love the library.  As I’m reading through different food blogs and someone mentions a great book they are reading I put it on my library list.

Today I picked up a few yummy nuggets.
Charcuterie by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn
Complete Book of Pork by Bruce Aidells with Lisa Weiss
amuse-bouche by Rick Tramonto

I’m also reading My Life in France and BBQ! Bible: Sauces, Rubs and Marinades… and Emeril’s Potluck

While waiting for M for our Monday bus lesson, I started flipping through the Complete Book of Pork.  I knew from the first 2 sentences of the book I was going to enjoy this guy.  “I’m a restless cook and an adventurous eater.  What I mean is that once I cook a dish, I’m ready to move on, to explore new culinary horizons.”  That’s Lula Harp in a nutshell.  Half the fun is just figuring out how to do it.  Once I’ve done it successfully, I get bored.

What are you reading right now?